New York, USA, 31 August 2023 | Leigh Rogers

Alex de Minaur has made a major statement with his second-round victory at US Open 2023.

The world No.13 powered past China’s Wu Yibing 6-1 6-2 6-1 to record his most dominant Grand Slam victory since 2018.

Wu, a 23-year-old ranked No.86, won the US Open 2017 boys’ singles title and is enjoying a career-best season. But was outclassed by a red-hot De Minaur.

The 24-year-old Australian made a commanding start, conceding only four points on serve as he blitzed through the opening set in 24 minutes.

It set the tone for the match, with the top-ranked Aussie dictating play and capitalising from Wu’s costly 36 unforced errors.

“I was proud of my mental headspace the whole match. I was locked in from the very first point until the last,” De Minaur said.

De Minaur, whose unforced error count only tallied 10, sealed an impressive victory in 86 minutes.

“Matches are never easy, so whenever you get a chance to kind of come away with a win like that, you will take it for sure,” De Minaur said.

“I don’t think he was feeling 100 per cent today. It’s a shame for him, but ultimately it is one of those matches I did what I needed to do and happy to be in the next round.”

This is De Minaur’s 13th win from his past 17 matches and propels him into the third round at Flushing Meadows for the fifth time in the past six years.

His next opponent is Nicolas Jarry, a 27-year-old from Chile.

De Minaur, who has won both of his previous matches against the world No.25, is looking to advance to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2020.

O’Connell tests world No.3 Medvedev in second round

Chris O’Connell’s US Open campaign ended after a tough battle with world No.3 Daniil Medvedev, who claimed a 6-2 6-2 6-7(6) 6-2 victory.

The 29-year-old’s second-round appearance is a repeat of his career-best 2020 US Open appearance, where Medvedev also defeated O’Connell at the same stage of the tournament.

Despite today’s loss, the Australian battled past 1:00 am in New York and claimed a captivating third set after being down a break of serve.

He saved two match points in an intense tiebreak that saw a roaring Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd on their feet.

O’Connell hit 19 winners compared to his total of nine in the first two sets to give Medvedev his first dropped set of the tournament.

The world No.3 was inconsistent on serve at times but made it a weapon when it mattered, as he won 81 per cent of points on his first serve.

Medvedev admitted he was pushed in the three-hour and four-minute duel.

“Tough match,” he said. “And it became much tougher for me (in the third set).”

Aussies in action – US Open

RESULTS
Men’s singles, second round
[13] Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Wu Yibing (CHN) 6-1 6-2 6-1
[3] Daniil Medvedev d Chris O’Connell (AUS) 6-2 6-2 6-7(6) 6-2

> READ: Saville, Perez record doubles wins at US Open

COMING UP
Men’s singles, third round
[13] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [23] Nicolas Jarry (CHI)
[WC] Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Zhang Zhizhen (CHN)

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