Miomir Kecmanović never expected to go beyond the first round of this year’s Australian Open, let alone be a win away from reaching the quarter-final.
The 22-year-old was initially drawn to play compatriot and world No.1 Novak Djokovic in his opening match. A superstar in their home country who is regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time by many. However, Djokovic’s subsequent deportation from Australia by the government opened the draw for Kecmanović who was yet to win back-to-back main draw matches at a major.
Previously saying that he was motivated to do well by the way his Davis Cup team mate has been treated by the authorities, he eased past lucky loser Salvatore Caruso before ousting America’s Tommy Paul in three close sets. Taking to the court on Friday to play in his maiden Grand Slam third round match, Kecmanović continued his fairytale run with a 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-5, win over 25th seed Lorenzo Sonego.
“A week ago I was supposed to play the world No. 1 and didn’t have much of a chance there, but now I’m in the last 16, so I’m happy that I was able to use this chance and that I’ve been playing some really good tennis,” he said following his latest win.
Kecmanović was once tipped as a future star of the men’s game after reaching world No.1 on the junior circuit. He has also shown glimmers of his talent on the pro Tour by winning the 2020 Kitzbuhel Open and reaching the semifinals of the Buenos Aires Open last year. However, consistency is an issue for the Serb who had lost 14 out of his past 15 matches against top 30 players on the Tour prior to this week.
“I didn’t have much pressure just because I felt that I got a second chance, so I just wanted to use it the best that I can. I’ve obviously been showing that well up until now.” He said of his run in Melbourne Park.
Next up will be his toughest test yet in terms of both ranking and experience. Gael Monfils is a veteran of the men’s Tour who is playing in his 58th Grand Slam main draw compared to Kecmanović who is playing in his 12th. The Frenchman has breezed through his first three matches and is yet to drop a set.
Although this doesn’t faze the underdog who took Monfils to three sets before losing in their only previous meeting at the Paris Masters last November. He is mentored on the Tour by David Nalbandian, who was a formidable player himself during his playing days. Coincidentally the Argentine played Monfils twice in a Grand Slam main draw.
“I’ve come this far, I don’t see why I should stop now? Monfils is a showman, I expect a lot of good shots from him, running and defense, it won’t be easy. I will look to be aggressive when there is a chance,” Kecmanović concluded in Serbian.
