Photo via Yahoo Sports

Alex de Minaur speaks after reaching the final in China, ‘I needed something different’

Alex de Minaur secured his place in the China Open final after Hubert Hurkacz retired during their semifinal match, leaving the Australian trailing 4-6, 2-3. This marks de Minaur’s third final appearance of the 2026 season, though his year has been marked by early exits in major tournaments, with only two quarterfinals—at the Australian Open and Monte-Carlo Masters—to show for his efforts.

The world No. 9 now has the opportunity to add a 12th ATP title to his resume in Beijing, where he’ll face a winner’s spot in the championship match tomorrow.

De Minaur credited his recent form to a mental reset, citing his strong performances in Davis Cup and Laver Cup team events as the catalyst for his renewed confidence. "I needed something different," he said, emphasizing how the team environment helped him refocus and rediscover his game.

Meanwhile, Hurkacz, who has battled injuries over the past two years, revealed an adductor issue first surfaced in his quarterfinal against Karen Khachanov. Though he pushed through the match, he admitted struggling physically from the start and confirmed his intention to play at the upcoming Shanghai Masters despite the setback.

De Minaur expressed support for Hurkacz’s recovery on Instagram, wishing him a speedy return while preparing for his own final push in Beijing.

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