De Minaur delivers when Australia needed it most
Alex de Minaur responded in style to his US Open disappointment, producing a sharp and controlled performance to seal Australia’s Davis Cup win over Poland in Brisbane. The world No. 9 beat Kamil Majchrzak 6-3, 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena, completing a 3-1 victory that keeps Australia on course for another run at the competition’s final stages.
It was the kind of performance Australia wanted from its leading man: clean serving, steady pressure from the baseline and enough spark in the biggest moments to quiet any tension. De Minaur’s victory followed a dominant win over Maks Kasnikowski on Saturday, giving him a strong two-day response after an early exit at the US Open.
Doubles turn the tie in Australia’s favour
While De Minaur closed the door, the momentum swing began earlier in the doubles. Max Purcell and Rinky Hijikata teamed up for a vital 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win over Jan Zielinski and Karol Drzewiecki, a result that gave Australia control of the tie and lifted the home crowd.
Purcell, returning to competition after an 18-month anti-doping ban, looked composed under pressure and produced the kind of bold shot-making that can flip a Davis Cup contest in a flash. Hijikata matched him with calm, reliable play, and together they handled the key points better than the Polish pair.
Purcell’s big moments changed the match
The opening set stayed tight until the tiebreak, where Australia’s pair found another gear. Purcell made an immediate impact with a backhand return winner to open the tiebreak, then fired two aces to push the hosts ahead 3-0 and seize control.
That burst of quality was followed by a run of strong finishing at the net and steady pressure on the Polish serve. Australia rode that edge through the set and never really let go.
Hijikata also played a key role in the decisive stretch, holding confidently and later striking a forehand return winner on one of the few service breaks in the match. That single break was enough to separate the sides in a match that lasted 77 minutes and gave the sold-out crowd plenty to cheer about.
De Minaur’s form returns at the right time
De Minaur’s performance was especially encouraging given the context. After a frustrating US Open campaign, he looked sharper and more settled, with both his backhand and serve firing in a match that never allowed Majchrzak to settle into a rhythm.
Australia’s captaincy and support team will also be pleased with the way the team handled the pressure after a shock loss to Ecuador earlier in the year. That defeat made this home tie feel must-win, and Australia answered the call by moving past Poland with authority.
One coach-side insight summed up the mood well: the team did not just need a win, it needed a response. On Sunday, that response arrived in the form of clean tennis, confidence and a clear sense of purpose.
What the result means for Australia
Australia’s progress means they advance to next year’s qualifying round, where they will face an opponent yet to be decided. Another win there would move them closer to the Davis Cup finals in Italy in November 2027.
For now, the immediate story is simple: De Minaur is back in rhythm, Purcell and Hijikata delivered under pressure, and Australia turned a demanding tie into a statement result. In Davis Cup tennis, that combination can be decisive.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Alex de Minaur vs Kamil Majchrzak | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Purcell/Hijikata vs Zielinski/Drzewiecki | 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 |
| Final tie score | Australia 3-1 Poland |
| Match duration | 77 minutes |
The home crowd got the result, the team got the momentum, and De Minaur got the kind of bounce-back win that can reset a season.
