Alex de Minaur’s stellar 2025 season shows no signs of slowing down. The Australian star reached his 24th Masters 1000 round of 16 after a commanding 6-1, 7-5 win over Kamil Majchrzak at the Shanghai Masters. The victory pushes him past Pat Rafter’s record of 23 appearances, making him the second-most successful Australian in this category since 1990.
The 25-year-old has built remarkable momentum this season. He lifted the Washington Open title and consistently advanced to the closing stages of major events. His latest triumph adds another highlight to a year that has firmly established him as one of the ATP Tour’s most reliable performers.
“Fans of the Australian will be hoping de Minaur can take his game to the next level during the latter portion of 2025, after revealing a change he has made to try and compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.”
Surpassing a National Great
According to OptaAce, de Minaur now trails only Lleyton Hewitt among Australians for Masters 1000 round-of-16 appearances. Overtaking Rafter is no small feat. The two-time US Open champion once held the world No. 1 ranking and claimed 21 career titles, including the 1999 Australian Open men’s doubles crown.
Moving ahead of such an iconic figure reflects how far de Minaur has come in his career. It also underlines his consistency on the biggest stages, where he continues to deliver against top-tier opponents.
Building Momentum for a Bigger Push
The Shanghai victory is more than a record-breaker — it’s a sign of de Minaur’s evolving ambitions. He has openly spoken about raising his level to challenge the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and recent performances suggest he is on the right track.
His tactical sharpness, court coverage, and mental toughness have all improved, helping him compete deeper into elite events. This newfound edge could prove crucial as he chases bigger prizes in the season’s final stretch.
Round of 16 Preview: A New Challenge Awaits
De Minaur’s next task in Shanghai promises to be a real test. He could face Nuno Borges, a Portuguese player he has never met on the ATP Tour. Another potential opponent is Juncheng Shang, the young Chinese talent who shocked ninth seed Karen Khachanov in the round of 64.
Both matchups present fresh challenges, but de Minaur enters the contest with confidence and momentum. If his current form continues, another deep run at a Masters 1000 event looks well within reach.
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