Alex de Minaur has reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time with a superb victory over emerging French talent Arthur Fils on Monday but has an injury cloud hanging over his title hopes. The Australian raced through the first four games before being challenged in the latter stages but was able to exact revenge for a recent loss to the exciting Fils in Barcelona when progressing 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-3 in 2hr 54min. Despite a ferocious flurry from the Frenchman in the third set aside which forced him onto the back foot for a period, de Minaur produced his best performance to date for the fortnight as he progressed to his second straight quarterfinal in a grand slam.
But after producing an outstanding lunging volley to close the match, the Australian moved stiffly and celebrated in muted fashion, later saying he felt pain in the right hip in the final game. De Minaur had slid wide for a forehand on the first of his two match points. In the stands, Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt could be seen rubbing his hip region when as he and de Minaur made eye contact and on the court, when quizzed about a potential injury, the Australian said; “I’m alright.
I will find a way through.” The Australian came to press more than two hours after the match and downplayed any significant concerns when saying he was excited by his Wimbledon breakthrough. “I’m feeling pretty decent.
Again, my body went through a pretty physical match out there (and the) body feels a little bit gin.