The fantastic run from Australian teen Alex De Minaur has finally come to an end at the hands of Ryan Harrison. The American battled to a 4-7. 7-6, 6-4 win in a match that lasted two hours and thirty-seven minutes.
De Minaur took the first set as he continued his hot form that had seen him claim three shock victories this week. De Minaur’s run had included wins over Americans Steve Johnson and Michael Mmoh, as well as perhaps the most impressive win against former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic in the second round.
Harrison looked second best for much of the second set. Serving first though, the American always had the scoreboard on his side and did manage a break. De Minaur quickly pulled it back though, and the two players moved to a tiebreak.
Both players started the tiebreak well with an exchange of aces. De Minaur made the first move, breaking for 5-3 with a second serve return backhand winner down the line. That put the Aussie within two points of victory. For the first time in the week though the youngster showed chinks in his mental armour. He missed a forehand and then double-faulted to hand Harrison set point. The American duly took it.
Harrison quickly applied pressure, successfully using the momentum of winning the second set to break De Minaur. The 25 year-old went on to win four games in a row seemingly pulling away and out of reach before De Minaur had even registered on the third set scoreboard. De Minaur would hold, and broke as the American served the for the match. De Minaur quickly held, but Harrison had a second chance to serve out and he did so.
Harrison will take on the winner of the match between top seed and defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, and Australian Nick Kyrgios. Harrison is currently 1-1 in career ATP finals. Harrison had never won a match in Brisbane in four previous visits.
