Alex de Minaur has equalled his best result at the Australian Open with a third round victory against Italy's Flavio Cobolli.
For the third consecutive year, the Australian reached the fourth round with a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win over the Italian talent.
De Minaur will now play the winner of fifth seed Andrey Rublev and Sebastian Korda in the fourth round - as he bids to match his best-ever result at a major.
Despite the scoreline looking comfortable, Cobolli gave De Minaur plenty of problems with his attacking brand of tennis.
Across the three sets, Cobolli forced eight break points on De Minaur's serve, only taking one to break back at one stage in the first set.
De Minaur had his own issues converting break points, creating 20 throughout the contest, but only converting six of them.
However, the Australian was simply stronger in the big points as he sets up a match with either Rublev or Korda on Sunday.
De Minaur has a 3-2 record against Rublev, but did lose their last match at the Paris Masters, while he is 1-1 with Korda, with their last meeting coming in 2022.
Alex de Minaur vs. Flavio Cobolli final score
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | |
| [10] Alex de Minaur (AUS) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flavio Cobolli (ITA) | 3 | 3 | 1 |
*Denotes server
Alex de Minaur vs. Flavio Cobolli live updates, highlights and commentary
The Sporting News followed the Alex de Minaur vs. Flavio Cobolli match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as it happened.
*Denotes server
GAME, SET, MATCH, DE MINAUR! De Minaur* 6-3 6-3 6-1 Cobolli
De Minaur hits a forehand winner. 15-0. Cobolli drills a backhand wide. 30-0. We are nearly done here. The Australian comes up short with the drop shot. 30-15. And then hits long the next point. Hiccup. 30-30. Cobolli drills into the net and it's match point. The Italian smashes a clean winner. The crowd applauds. Deuce. Cobolli hits the passing shot long. Adv De Minaur. Match point. And a forehand winner secures the match.
De Minaur 6-3 6-3 5-1 Cobolli*
Cobolli goes the drop shot, De Minaur gets there but the Italian eventually wins the point. 15-0. De Minaur nets. 30-0. However, Cobolli goes long next point. 30-15. And again. 30-30. Pressure is building. The Italian hits the forehand to get a game point. But De Minaur forces the error and we are at deuce again. Cobolli hits the winner to get the first advantage. De Minaur makes the drop volley and it's deuce again. Cobolli nets and it's break point. De Minaur nets. Deuce. De Minaur makes the trademark running forehand crosscourt. Adv De Minaur. Cobolli nets and it's a double break. De Minaur to serve for the match.
De Minaur* 6-3 6-3 4-1 Cobolli
Cobolli hits the return of serve into the net. 15-0. The Italian goes for the running forehand winner but it's wild. 30-0. His next return of serve is on point though and De Minaur nets. An unreturned serve makes it 40-15. De Minaur wraps up the game and marches toward the fourth round.
De Minaur 6-3 6-3 3-1 Cobolli*
De Minaur hits long off the first serve. 15-0. He then forces Cobolli to hit long. 15-15. Cobolli hits an ace down the T. 30-15. De Minaur's return floats long. 40-15. The Australian makes a brilliant world class drop volley and Cobolli can't get it back. 40-30. De Minaur misses the backhand down the line and Cobolli is on the board.
De Minaur* 6-3 6-3 3-0 Cobolli
The Australian hits a crosscourt forehand winner to begin the game. 15-0. Cobolli misses down the line. 30-0. The Italian then drills the serve return into the net. 40-0. And an unreturned serve secures an easy hold of serve.
De Minaur 6-3 6-3 2-0 Cobolli*
The two players trade points to start the game. 15-15. A sizzling backhand from Cobolli forces the error from De Minaur. 30-15. The Italian then hits a curved, forehand winner. 40-15. De Minaur puts away the smash. 40-30. A double fault brings us to deuce again. De Minaur hits long. Adv Cobolli. However, his defensive lob floats well long. Deuce. Cobolli nets and it's break point for the 10th seed. Cobolli misses down the line and De Minaur gets the early break.
De Minaur* 6-3 6-3 1-0 Cobolli
Cobolli misses an easy volley at the net. Straight into the net. 15-0. Cobolli hits a clean backhand winner down the line off the second serve. 15-15. Cobolli is hitting out here. This time he misses the winner. 30-15. The Italian hits long off the serve. 40-15. And an ace secures an easy hold.
SECOND SET DE MINAUR! De Minaur 6-3 6-3 Cobolli*
The Australian hits a clean backhand winner from the second serve. 0-15. De Minaur then makes the running forehand winner. He is closing in here on the set. 0-30. De Minaur hits the line and Cobolli nets. Three set points for De Minaur. The Australian nets the first one. But Cobolli misses the volley on the second. Second set to De Minaur.
De Minaur* 6-3 5-3 Cobolli
Cobolli gets the first point on De Minaur's serve once again. But the Australian's serve is unreturned for the second. 15-15. De Minaur puts away the smash. 30-15. Cobolli hits a clean backhand winner on the second serve. 30-30. De Minaur hits long after Cobolli's strong attack. Break point. 30-40. However, the serve and put away combo sends the game to Deuce. Cobolli can't get De Minaur's smash back. Adv De Minaur. Out of trouble for the Aussie. Saves a break point. Wins the game.
De Minaur 6-3 4-3 Cobolli*
Cobolli secures the first point. 15-0. Cobolli slices into the net. 15-15. De Minaur nets from the serve. 30-15. What a forehand winner down the line from De Minaur. Crowd goes wild. 30-30. The Aussie secures another break point as Cobolli nets. 30-40. De Minaur narrowly misses the return winner. Deuce. Cobolli catches the baseline and De Minaur nets. Adv Cobolli. De Minaur nets down the line and the Italian holds.
De Minaur* 6-3 4-2 Cobolli
The Australian starts with a backhand that goes a few metres past the baseline. 0-15. Cobolli hits a sizzling return off the second serve for a winner. 0-30. Cobolli's forehand slice floats way long. 15-30. The Italian hits a magnificent forehand winner. He is pushing here. 15-40. First break point is saved as Cobolli nets. 30-40. De Minaur makes the volley and saves the second. Deuce. The Australian misses going for a winner down the line. A third break point. Adv Cobolli. De Minaur attaks and Cobolli's defensive lob goes wide. Deuce. De Minaur is there to make the volley at the net. Adv De Minaur. However, the 10th seed drills a back hand long. Deuce. De Minaur again secures game point with Cobolli hitting into the net. Three break points saved as De Minaur holds as Cobolli nets.
De Minaur 6-3 3-2 Cobolli*
Cobolli serves an ace down the T. 15-0. But sprays wide the following point. 15-15. The Australian hits long off the second serve. 30-15. Cobolli makes a sizzling shot down the line. Quality. 40-15. De Minaur slaps the serve into the net. Good fight from the Italian.
De Minaur* 6-3 3-1 Cobolli
Excellent defence from Cobolli secures the first point. 0-15. De Minaur's wild swing goes well wide and long. 0-30. Cobolli nets off the second serve. 15-30. An unreturned serve gets the Australian back to 30-30. And another secures a game point. 40-30. And De Minaur forces Cobolli to net. Break consolidated.
De Minaur 6-3 2-1 Cobolli*
Cobolli nets on the first point. 0-15. The Italian hits long. De Minaur with an opening here. 0-30. The Aussie attacks and forces a deep shot from Cobolli. 0-40. An excellent drop volley from the Italian saves one break point. 15-40. Cobolli attacks again and forces De Minaur to miss the attempted pass. 30-40. An unreturned serve saves all three break points. Great fight from Cobolli. Deuce. However, a double fault gives De Minaur another break point. Adv De Minaur. The Aussie smashes a forehand drive and it just misses the back line. Deuce. Cobolli comes in but De Minaur's excellent dipping shot cannot be returned. Adv De Minaur. The Italian hits a clinical forehand down the line for a winner. Deuce. What a volley by Cobolli. He was in trouble. Now has game point. Adv Cobolli. The Italian nets however. Deuce. Long game. Could be pivotal in the momentum of the set. Cobolli just misses the touch half-volley. A sixth break point of the game. Adv De Minaur. The Aussie nets on the run. Deuce again. Cobolli nets after De Minaur attacks his second serve. Seventh break point. Adv De Minaur. The Australian again makes the error on break point. Deuce. Another net cord for Cobolli helps him win the point. Adv Cobolli. De Minaur executes the put away back hand. Deuce. Cobolli hits long. Eighth break point. De Minaur hits long. Deuce again. Cobolli nets and it's break point again for the Australian. De Minaur gets it on the ninth break point. Huge.
De Minaur* 6-3 1-1 Cobolli
Cobolli misses with the forehand down the line. 15-0. What a shot by the Italian. Right on the line. 15-15. Cobolli's defensive lob floats long. 30-15. Cobolli attacks and forces the De Minaur error. 30-30. The Aussie hits long with Cobolli on the defensive. Break point. 30-40. However, he volleys long. Deuce. De Minaur goes for the back hand winner off the short ball but hits it long. Another break point. The Aussie saves once again by forcing the error. Deuce. De Minaur hits an ace down the T. And a smash secures the game. Two break points saved as well.
De Minaur 6-3 0-1 Cobolli*
A third lucky net cord for Cobolli. The crowd groans. 15-0. De Minaur's defensive lob is long. 30-0. An unreturned serve brings up three game points. 40-0. And the Italian gets the easy hold with a backhand winner.
FIRST SET DE MINAUR! De Minaur* 6-3 Cobolli
De Minaur serving for the set. Cobolli nets first point. 15-0. But De Minaur does same next point. 15-15. Ace for the Aussie down the T. 30-15. Cobolli frames the ball well short. 40-15. Two set points. And an ace secures the first set for the Australian.
De Minaur 5-3 Cobolli*
Excellent tennis from Cobolli. He smashes a forehand winner down the line. 15-0. Cobolli nets next point. 15-15. The Italian nets again next point. 15-30. A brilliant return from De Minaur forces the error and gets two break points. 15-40. De Minaur hits the first well long. 30-40. Excellent hustle again from De Minaur forces the eventual error from the Italian. The break is back.
De Minaur* 4-3 Cobolli
De Minaur goes the drop shot but it's overhit and Cobolli gets there to make a great crosscourt backhand. 0-15. Huge chance for the Italian. He makes an excellent backhand winner down the line. 0-30. Cobolli hits long during the rally. 15-30. Cobolli then nets during a long rally. De Minaur getting the better of the long exchanges. 30-30. De Minaur's volley floats long. Break point for Cobolli. 30-40. The Aussie saves it as the serve is unreturned. Deuce. De Minaur's turn to hit long. A second break point for the Italian. Adv Cobolli. The Italian breaks back after De Minaur misjudges a ball that lands on the line.
De Minaur 4-2 Cobolli*
De Minaur guesses the right way to Cobolli's approach and the Italian can't make the volley. 0-15. The Aussie slices low and Cobolli responds by hitting long. 0-30. Big chance here for the Aussie. However, he nets during the rally. 15-30. Serve and volley from Cobolli. Back to 30-30. Cobolli nets and it's a first break point for the Australian. 30-40. However, De Minaur bunts the backhand well long to the sigh of the crowd. Deuce. Great save by De Minaur which forces Cobolli to play an extra shot, which he nets. Adv De Minaur. Another lucky net cord to Cobolli saves the Italian. Deuce. The Italian hits wide after a long rally. A third break point. Adv De Minaur. The Aussie gets the break as Cobolli nets.
De Minaur* 3-2 Cobolli
Cobolli goes for the winner but hits long. 15-0. He then returns De Minaur's serve well long. 30-0. Cobolli hits well wide off the serve next point. 40-0. De Minaur comes in to the net but Cobolli goes long with the pass. Easy hold for the Aussie.
De Minaur 2-2 Cobolli*
Cobolli drills an ace down the T. He is serving well early. 15-0. However, he hits De Minaur's return into the net. 15-15. The Italian then nets with the crosscourt backhand. Early chance for Alex. 15-30. De Minaur gets a second serve but can't get it over the net on the return. 30-30. The Aussie goes long after the longest rally of the match. 40-30. De Minaur's defensive lob goes long and the Italian wards off any trouble.
De Minaur* 2-1 Cobolli
De MInaur lands a good serve and Cobolli nets. 15-0. Repeat again next point but on the second serve. 30-0. It's the Aussie's turn to drill a ball into the net. 30-15. Cobolli hits way long from the first serve. 40-15. The Italian just misses the passing shot. Game De Minaur.
De Minaur 1-1 Cobolli*
Second serve ace for the Italian. 15-0. Cobolli gets the luck of the net cord. It just drops over. 30-0. De Minaur returns long on the second serve. 40-0. The Aussie makes a good return and Cobolli nets. 40-15. De Minaur bunts the return of serve long and it's a comfortable hold for the Italian.
De Minaur* 1-0 Cobolli
Cobolli attacks the second serve but misses the shot down the line. 15-0. De Minaur responds with the same on the backhand side. 15-15. Cobolli nets off the first serve. 30-15. The Aussie makes an excellent volley winner. 40-15. Cobolli misses the line with the forehand drive and it's an easy hold for the Aussie.
Start
Alex de Minaur to serve first.
Pre match: Players are warming up at the moment. Minutes away from the start.
Pre match: Players are now out on court. Warm up to commence shortly.
Pre match: Mexican wave is now going around the arena. It's going to be a raucous crowd tonight.
Pre match: Still waiting for the players to come out at John Cain Arena. Then crowd is clapping in anticipation.
Pre match: Only about three minutes until the players are out here at John Cain Arena.
Pre match: De Minaur's best performance at a major is the quarter-final of US Open 2020 - where he was battered by eventual champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets.
Pre match: De Minaur will be bidding to reach the Australian Open fourth round for a third consecutive year. But he has never been past that stage at Melbourne Park.
Pre match: This will be the first meeting between De Minaur and Cobolli.
Pre match: The match will start a little after the 7:00pm (AEDT) scheduled time as all other matches on John Cain are already completed.
Pre match: Welcome to tonight's match between Australian hope Alex de Minaur and Italian qualifer Flavio Cobolli on John Cain Arena.
How to watch Alex de Minaur vs. Flavio Cobolli
Television
Being Australia's best hope at the major, De Minaur will be telecast live on free-to-air TV via Channel Nine's main and HD channel.
Live stream
De Minaur's third round contest can be watched on live stream via Stan Sport, which has every game live via their platform.
Channel Nine's free streaming service 9Now will also have the game available to watch.
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