De Minaur downs jet-lagged Alcaraz in charity clash

He faces stiff competition from the likes of reigning champion Jannik Sinner, 10-time winner Novak Djokovic and local hope de Minaur, who is seeded eighth.

Alcaraz, who arrived in Australia three days before the charity match, consolidated an early break of de Minaur’s serve and raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set.

In an on-court interview, he said he was still limited by jet lag and admitted he had surprised himself with the hot start.

At that stage, de Minaur could only sit back and applaud some of Alcaraz’s brilliant ground strokes.

But the Australian won six of the next seven games to clinch the first set before Alcaraz sent the contest to a match tiebreaker, which de Minaur controlled from the outset.

“He’s killing me, that’s for sure,” Alcaraz said at the end of the second set.

“There was some point where I couldn’t find anything, just hitting as hard as I can and praying.

“But it’s the best way to get ready for Australia, playing someone like Alex.

“He has really good rhythm (and plays) big, long rallies, so that’s what I need to adjust and get used to the conditions and get used to Australia.”

De Minaur also relished what amounted to an intense practice session as he seeks to become the first Australian man to win his home major in almost 50 years.

“It’s exciting to be back here in Melbourne, playing on Rod Laver Arena in front of you guys, so I try to do my best,” de Minaur said.

“I’m very excited for what’s to come in the next couple of weeks and I’m sure hopefully we’re both going to play some great tennis.”