Australian teenager Alex de Minaur books his spot in Sydney final

Juan Martin del Potro reaches final at ASB Classic in Auckland

By PA Sport

Image: Alex de Minaur celebrates reaching the Sydney final

Alex De Minaur surpassed his Brisbane achievements by reaching his first ATP Tour final at the Sydney International.

The 18-year-old Australian had only won two tour level matches prior to last week but, after reaching the semi-finals in Brisbane, notched up his seventh of the season with a 4-6 6-1 6-1 triumph over experienced Frenchman Benoit Paire.

He is so much fun, he's great, I just love him, he's adorable.
Billie Jean King on Alex de Minaur

De Minaur, ranked 167 in the world, became the youngest ATP World Tour finalist since American Taylor Fritz at Memphis 2016 and he has a new fan in Billie Jean King, who compared the teenager to his countryman Lleyton Hewitt.

"He is so much fun, he's great, I just love him, he's adorable," said King. "He's got so much fight. He's like Lleyton Hewitt."

In the final, De Minaur will face Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev, who also came from a set down to beat fourth seed Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-4 6-1.

Advertisement

Tennis updates straight to your phone

How to receive all the latest tennis news straight to your mobile

Image: Juan Martin del Potro is looking for his third ATP Tour title since injury struck

At the ASB Classic in Auckland, Juan Martin del Potro defeated David Ferrer 6-4 6-4 to reach the final.

The Argentinian, who will move back into the top 10 on Monday, is looking for his third ATP Tour title since wrist problems struck in 2014.

Also See:

He will face Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, who battled past Robin Haase 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5).

Follow the Australian Open with skysports.com

We will be covering the Australian Open on skysports.com/tennis with news, previews, live blogs, reports and expert analysis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis

Outbrain