Alex de Minaur Advances to Second Round as Milos Raonic Retires Hurt at Australian Open
Alex de Minaur, Australian tennis star, secured a spot in the second round of the Australian Open after his opponent Milos Raonic was forced to retire due to injury during their first-round match on Rod Laver Arena. De Minaur had just won the second set and was leading in the third when Raonic made the difficult decision to withdraw. Raonic had been struggling with hip issues throughout the first two sets, taking a break off-court for treatment.
The retirement came as a surprise to the commentators and fans, with Todd Woodbridge expressing sadness over Raonic’s situation. Replays revealed Raonic’s visible discomfort during his service motion, leading to concerns for his well-being. His wife, Camille, was seen in tears in the stands as Raonic made his way off the court, heavily limping. The 33-year-old Canadian player has faced various injuries throughout his career.
De Minaur, after securing victory, expressed his concern for Raonic’s recovery in his post-match interview with Jim Courier, stating that Raonic deserves to be healthy. He also acknowledged the need to stay focused and improve his own game as he progresses in the tournament.
Earlier in the match, the enthusiastic crowd on Rod Laver Arena witnessed Raonic claim the first set in a tiebreak, silencing the arena. Raonic showcased his powerful serve, delivering nine aces in the set, including seven in the first four games. However, de Minaur amazed both spectators and commentators when he managed to return a thunderous 218km/h serve, which was headed straight for his head. Using quick reflexes, de Minaur held his racquet in front of his face, allowing the ball to ricochet back over the net.
De Minaur faced some challenges in the second set, experiencing a few nervous moments when he missed three set points after being up 40-0. Nevertheless, he stayed composed and eventually secured the set with a ripping forehand, taking advantage of Raonic’s missed shot.
In the third set, de Minaur quickly took an early break, maintaining his momentum. However, Raonic’s injury intervened, forcing him to retire from the match.
De Minaur, currently ranked world No.10, will now face Italian player Matteo Arnaldi in the second round, with the match likely to take place on Wednesday.
As fans eagerly anticipate De Minaur’s next performance, they will undoubtedly hope for a smooth recovery for Raonic to ensure his return to the court in the near future.
The Australian Open continues, and tennis enthusiasts can catch all the action live and exclusive on Nine, 9Now, and ad-free on Stan Sport.
In conclusion, De Minaur’s progression in the tournament comes with mixed emotions due to Raonic’s unfortunate retirement. The Australian player remains focused on his own game as he aims to continue his success in the Australian Open.
