On the same day Aleksandar Vukic made a heartbreaking exit from the Australian Open in the early hours, the spotlight turned to Alex de Minaur—the “Weet-Bix Kid”—to lift the nation’s spirits.
With the “Special Ks” nursing their wounds, Australia’s hopes of grand slam glory now rested squarely on de Minaur’s increasingly sturdy shoulders.
Facing Francisco Cerundolo, a formidable opponent with a forehand likened to Pete Sampras’ earlier in the day, de Minaur faced an uphill battle. When he faltered in the first set, the atmosphere at Rod Laver Arena grew tense.
That tension deepened in the second set when play was halted due to a medical emergency in the stands under the sweltering Saturday afternoon heat.
