Australia's tennis hopes at Wimbledon 2025 remain alive and kicking as Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina both advanced to the third round amid a tournament full of surprises and upsets. De Minaur, seeded 11th and Australia's top male player, overcame a rocky start to defeat French qualifier Arthur Cazaux 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in a match played under perfect sunny conditions on July 3. Meanwhile, Kasatkina, the 16th seed and the newest recruit to Australian tennis, battled past Romanian veteran Irina-Camelia Begu 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to secure her spot in the next round.
De Minaur's victory was a testament to his resilience and tactical adaptability. After losing the first set, where he struggled with his serve and committed 14 unforced errors compared to Cazaux's seven in the opening games, de Minaur regrouped. Encouraged by his Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt and buoyed by support from the stands, including his partner Katie Boulter's fans, he boosted his first-serve percentage from a dismal 33% in the first set to 63% in the second. This adjustment sparked a turnaround that saw him dominate the last three sets, dropping only six games and delivering a commanding 6-0 'bagel' in the fourth set.
Frenchman Arthur Cazaux, ranked 115th, had earlier caused a stir by eliminating Australian Adam Walton in a five-set thriller, proving to be a formidable opponent despite his lower ranking. However, de Minaur's experience and composure ultimately prevailed. Jelena Dokic, Australian tennis great, praised de Minaur's mental strength and ability to make in-match adjustments, noting, "He didn't have a great start but he was able to play himself in. So, great signs for de Minaur going into the third round." The match lasted 2 hours and 48 minutes, with de Minaur finishing with a flourish by winning the last eight games and final 10 points.
Looking ahead, de Minaur faces Danish qualifier August Holmgren, who has been the tournament's surprise package. Holmgren, ranked 194 before Wimbledon and competing in his first Grand Slam, pulled off a stunning upset against Czech 21st seed Tomas Machac in a marathon five-set match lasting four hours and 38 minutes. Holmgren's victory dance and celebrations with fans, including Vikings supporters in the stands, have made him a viral sensation. Whether Holmgren can sustain that level against the seasoned de Minaur remains to be seen, but the Australian will be keen to avoid any complacency.
De Minaur's path could become even more challenging if he meets seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in the Round of 16, as both players continue to demonstrate strong form. Djokovic recently cruised past English veteran Dan Evans 6-3, 6-2, 6-0, showing no signs of slowing down.
On the women's side, Kasatkina's third-round match promises to be a tough encounter against 18th seed Liudmila Samsonova, who has already knocked out promising Australian teenager Maya Joint. Kasatkina, who has a favorable head-to-head record against Begu, showed flashes of frustration during her match but embraced the fiery energy as a source of motivation. "I prefer this fire and getting this anger than when I don't feel the energy at all," she said. "Sometimes I was screaming to the box and stuff, but that's important, it gives you energy." Her ability to regain composure and steamroll the final set 6-1 highlights her competitive spirit.
Jordan Thompson, another Australian, has also advanced to the third round after a gritty five-set victory. Thompson, known for his never-say-die attitude, will face Italian Luciano Darderi on July 5. Thompson's toughness was on full display, earning praise from de Minaur himself who said, "He's the ultimate competitor... showing what that Australian culture is, that never say die attitude, never giving up, competing from the first point to the last. That's what we, as Australians, want the standard to be." Despite battling injuries, Thompson also showcased his versatility by partnering with French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert to upset the 13th seeded doubles team of Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow.
Not all Australian hopes fared as well. Sydneysider Aleksandar Vukic was decisively beaten by world No.1 Jannik Sinner 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in just one hour and 40 minutes, although he valiantly saved five match points late in the match. Meanwhile, the Olympic men's doubles champions John Peers and Matt Ebden, seeded 15th, exited in the first round after a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Czech duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.
One of the more controversial moments came late Thursday evening when Rinky Hijikata's second-round match against American Ben Shelton was suspended due to fading light. Shelton was leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 and was about to serve for the match on No.2 Court when the chair umpire halted play. Shelton expressed frustration, while Hijikata quickly left the court. The match is set to resume on July 5, adding another layer of suspense for Australian fans.
These results come amid a tournament marked by early exits for many seeded players, with 15 of the 32 men's seeds and 15 of the women's seeds already eliminated in the first two rounds. This unpredictable environment underscores the challenge and excitement of Wimbledon, where rankings can be upended and new stars emerge.
As the All England Club moves deeper into the second week, Australia's contingent remains a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising talents, each fighting hard to keep their Grand Slam dreams alive. With de Minaur and Kasatkina advancing and players like Thompson showing grit, the nation's tennis hopes are far from extinguished. The upcoming matches promise high drama, including potential blockbuster clashes that could define the tournament.
For de Minaur, the journey continues with a chance to build on his 29th win of the season, which places him joint-third for most ATP Tour wins in 2025. His ability to overcome adversity and adapt under pressure will be crucial as he aims to make a deeper run at Wimbledon and possibly face the legendary Novak Djokovic. Kasatkina and Thompson, too, embody the fighting spirit that Australian tennis fans cherish, proving that no matter the odds, they are ready for a battle on the grass courts of London.
