Alex de Minaur has explained why he slapped his legs during the fourth and final set of his match against Francisco Cerundolo. The No. 8 seed stormed back from a break down to advance to the second week of the Australian Open with a 5-7 7-6(3) 6-3 6-3 victory.

Alex de Minaur overcame a one-set deficit and his own serving yips Saturday afternoon to defeat 31st-seed Francisco Cerundolo in a marathon third-round Australian Open match.

Alex de Minaur is bidding to equal a career-best result at the Australian Open in his third round match versus Francisco Cerundolo at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday. The eighth-seeded Aussie will reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the fourth time if he can get past the Argentine 31st seed.

Here’s the remarkable truth about Alex de Minaur. Apart from the remarkable ability to overachieve, he’s completely unremarkable. It’s remarkable. I’ve searched his closet and there’s not a single skeleton to be found.

Watch the match highlights between Francisco Cerundolo & Alex de Minaur in Round 3 of the 2025 Australian Open.

Alex de Minaur has never made it past the fourth round at the Australian Open, but he'll have the opportunity to change that on Monday. In his way, though, is rising star Alex Michelsen. The 20-year-old American upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round before defeating both James McCabe and Karen Khachanov in straight sets.