Alex de Minaur’s second-round opponent at the Australian Open 2025, Tristan Boyer, was described by his team as "dangerous" and "aggressive."

Ironically, those traits also define De Minaur himself. Confident in his game, the top-ranked Aussie knows his performance is what counts, no matter the opponent.

“It’s about showing up as the best version of myself,” De Minaur said after his commanding 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 win over the American qualifier on Thursday.

A Serve to Be Reckoned With

The eighth seed dominated the two-hour match, winning 88% of first-serve points and committing only 15 unforced errors. Though he lost serve once to the world No. 136, his perfect record against qualifiers at his home Slam remains intact.

When asked about his biggest improvement this year, De Minaur pointed to his serve. “Getting more free points on serve has been a long-time goal,” he said, crediting extra gym time for making him “bigger and stronger.”

He delivered his fastest serve of the tournament so far at 217 km/h, placing him among AO 2025’s top 15 fastest servers alongside stars like Matteo Berrettini and Tommy Paul.

Facing Cerundolo

Cheered on by a lively Rod Laver Arena crowd, De Minaur also showcased his signature speed, recording 34 sprints compared to Boyer’s 18.

Next up, however, is 31st seed Francisco Cerundolo. The 26-year-old Argentinian, once ranked world No. 19, has 11 top-10 wins, including victories over Sinner, Zverev, and Fritz.

“It’s going to be tough. He’s got firepower and a dangerous forehand,” De Minaur said. He has "got to bring the intensity from the first point and play aggressively.”

Chasing the Quarterfinals

If De Minaur beats Cerundolo, he’ll enter uncharted territory. After three years of fourth-round exits, he’s the favorite on paper to reach his first AO quarterfinal. Doing so would complete his Grand Slam quarterfinal set and mark a career milestone for the Aussie star.