Alex de Minaur takes down Alexander Zverev, keeps hosts Australia alive at United Cup

Alex de Minaur’s done it again!

The Aussie rallied back from a set down to defeat Germany’s Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 at the United Cup on Saturday, leveling the tie at 1-1 to keep the host nation’s hopes alive. Germany and Australia will face off in the deciding doubles, with Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz awaiting in the final.

“I love being back home. Thank you guys!” De Minaur said as the crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena roared. “I’ve said it before, but every time I step out on court here it feels special.

"This is my favorite court in the whole world and every time I step out here I get goosebumps. I love being here and I’m very grateful for all the support.”

De Minaur scored his third consecutive Top 10 win of the week against Zverev, after taking down No. 10 Taylor Fritz and earning a career victory over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. As a result, the 24-year-old is projected to break into the ATP’s Top 10 for the first time—making him the first Australian man to reach that ranking milestone since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.

"It’s what I’ve worked so hard for. It’s another milestone. But the job’s not done," De Minaur said. "I’m going to enjoy this Aussie summer, that’s for sure."

De Minaur needed two hours and 40 minutes to make his way past Zverev, who struck 10 aces and hit 74 percent (42/57) of his first serves. But it was de Minaur who was more clutch in the deciding moments, saving three of the four break points he faced.

“Sascha is a hell of a competitor. He’s a hell of a player and he was just being too good for me," De Minaur said. "I managed to get out of jail a little bit in that second set, a couple break points and then I just freed up a little bit…

“All of a sudden got a couple cheap errors from him late in the second set and the whole momentum changed. The crowd got behind (me), and I just tried to ride the wave.”

His win also kept Australia alive in the United Cup semifinals, after Angelique Kerber saved two match points to give Germany the early lead with a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7) victory over Alja Tomljanovic in the first match on Saturday.

"Ajla played an amazing match," Kerber told press afterward. "I think we both played at a really high level. It's so great to see her back after injury last year.

"For me, it's the first singles win after coming back and it's really a great feeling."