French Open: De Minaur into round of 16 with help of young fan

Australia’s Alex de Minaur has received help from the unlikeliest of places to help him through to his maiden round of 16 appearance at the French Open on Saturday.

Facing off against a tricky opponent in the form of the big-hitting Jan-Lennard Struff, the No.11 seed fell behind a set and a break in the third-round match.

Rain meant the contest was interrupted several times, aiding de Minaur in wresting back momentum and claiming victory in four sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

But it was a young fan in the stands that the 25-year-old credits with helping him across the line against Struff.

“He was this little kid that every single change of ends, every single point I won, he was screaming at my face,” de Minaur explained.

“That young lad was there from the very first point till the last with five hours of rain delay.

“I don’t understand what this kid is doing, but, oh, he gave me life.

“Every single change of ends I’m looking at him, locking eyes with him.”

Search is on for de Minaur’s super-fan

After his victory, de Minaur went over to the stands to thank the young boy.

“I just gave him a hug. I was, like, ‘Mate…’ It was a relief more than anything. It was amazing. I appreciate this kid,” he shared.

“If I was a fan, I would probably be back home, because it was bloody cold out there. The fact that he’s spent 10 hours at the court today in the freezing cold pumping me up, I was happy that I was able to get a win together with him.”

The Australian No.1 gifted the fan a towel but now says that he regrets not giving him more and is seeking to reconnect with him on social media ahead of his next match.

“I would have given him everything in my bag,” de Minaur confessed to the media later. “I just wasn’t thinking straight with the emotions, but he deserved everything: racquets, shoes, whatever he wanted.”

The victory means de Minaur makes the second week at Roland-Garros for the first time in his career. He’ll need all the support he can get in the round of 16. However, the top tennis bookmakers have him a $2.62 underdog against No.5 seed Daniil Medvedev.

Sports news