Alex de Minaur secured a win in the first rubber of Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Poland, defeating Maks Kasnikowski 6-3, 6-0 at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena. De Minaur’s victory came in under an hour and was a welcome start following a challenging year on tour.
Read More
James Duckworth was unable to maintain the momentum, losing to Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, which set the stage for a crucial final day in the tie.
De Minaur’s performance showcased a notable recovery after a lengthy break following the US Open. He engaged with the local crowd throughout the match, expressing his eagerness to play in Australia after spending much of the year abroad.
"We play outside Australia for 10 months of the year, so we don't really get too many chances to play back here in front of a packed crowd," he said. "It was a great atmosphere and one that I've missed."
Despite his current ranking of ninth in the ATP, 2026 has been a tough year for de Minaur, with only one quarterfinal appearance at a major tournament and several early-round exits. His most recent defeat at the US Open to 70th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp marked just the second time he had fallen in the second round of a grand slam since 2023.
He also faced three first-round losses in Masters events, with only reaching the quarterfinals once, where he lost ranking points due to previous performance inconsistencies. However, de Minaur is optimistic about his future, looking to the upcoming Laver Cup in London as an opportunity to regain his form.
"I know the tennis is there, it hasn't gone anywhere. I've just gotta step up and keep doing what I'm doing," de Minaur said. The doubles match will feature Rinky Hijikata and Max Purcell against Karol Drzewiecki and Jan Zielinski on the decisive second day.