Alex De Minaur will have extra motivation when he faces Italian Matteo Arnaldi later this afternoon.
Not only is a place in the Australian third round on offer, but Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt believes the world No.10 will seek revenge after last year's Davis Cup heartache.
Arnaldi set Italy on course for victory in the Davis Cup semi-final when he knocked out Aleksei Popyrin, before Jannik Sinner beat De Minaur.
The defeat remains painful for the Australians, with Hewitt admitting he has nightmares about missed opportunities, as he suggested De Minaur would love to beat the rising Italian star.
“We want revenge. I still have nightmares that Arnaldi won a thrilling match against Alexei Popyrin,” Hewitt, Australia's Davis Cup captain, said on Wednesday.
“If we had somehow won that game we would have snagged the Davis Cup trophy. That would have been tough. That will be on Alex's mind.”
“It was a tough pill to swallow. To be close to that again two years in a row. I know how much it hurts the boys. This will push them to bigger and better things.”
1.25pm: The Devil is on the field for the second round match
Alex de Minaur arrived on court a little earlier than expected today – following a stunning straight sets defeat of sixth seed Ons Jabeur in the first match at Rod Laver Arena.
The Australian will be favorite to advance to the third round when he faces Matteo Arnaldi, and should be fresh after a short first-round clash against Milos Raonic, who withdrew with a groin complaint.
Arnaldi defeated Australian Adam Walton in the first round.
“Alex is very relaxed. A lot of this match will be played on his terms,” Australian Lleyton Hewitt said.
“It's obviously about conserving his serve games and getting on Arnaldi's second serve when he has the opportunity.
Originally published as Australian Open 2024: Alex de Minaur vs Matteo Arnaldi live scores, coverage and start time
