AUSTRALIAN Alex de Minaur has become one of the most consistent ATP Tour players, with the world number eight’s latest victory over Dutch qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp making it 32 wins from 33 matches against players outside the Top 30 since May last year. With the win, de Minaur advanced through to the quarter finals of the ATP500 event where the Aussie is second seed.

In a relatively straight forward match, de Minaur brushed aside van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 to set up a last eight clash with Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev in what shapes as a huge battle between the two. Earning a break in each set from five chances total while saving each of the four break point opportunities van de Zandschulp created was the difference in the match.

The Aussie hit three more winners (17-14) but was miles more economical with his shots, hitting 29 unforced errors to the Dutchman’s 59 as van de Zandschulp was forced to over-hit in order to try and quell the incredible court coverage that de Minaur possesses.

Continually forcing points into long rallies, 41 points had double-digit shots, with de Minaur ahead 24-17, while surprisingly able to win the rallies under three shots, 60 per cent of the time. His versatility was also on display, hitting seven winners off his forehand, three off his backhand, three at the net and four from aces in the win.

Having turned 26 on Monday, de Minaur is in the prime of his career and while he dropped two spots given the way tournaments fell compared to last year – where he made the Acapulco final which is next week – he looms ready to take back his career-high sixth which he achieved after reaching the Rotterdam final.

Up next is Rublev who defeated birthday boy Nuno Borges, with the Portugese player turning 28 yesterday, but was greeted with a 6-3 6-4 loss from the fifth seeded Russian. Most of the matches were straight set results as fourth seed Daniil Medvedev and eighth seed Jack Draper both advanced easily dropping just three games, while Jiri Lehecka also won in straight sets over Hungarian Fabian Marozsan.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz looked to have everything under control against Italian qualifier Luca Nardi at 6-1 4-1, until Nardi “started to play like the world number one” quality according to the Spaniard, winning six consecutive games to force a third set. Alcaraz did close it out, but not without that huge scare, 6-1 4-6 6-3.

Matteo Berrettini avenged his loss to Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in Rotterdam 7-6 6-7 6-4, while Felix Auger-Aliassime had a walkover against the hamstrung Hamad Medjedovic to the surprise of no one. In the quarter finals, Berrettini takes on Draper, Auger-Aliassime will meet Medvedev and Alcaraz goes head-to-head with Lehecka.

2025 QATAR OPEN ATP500 – ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:

[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) defeated [Q] Luca Nardi (ITA) 6-1 4-6 6-3
[2] Alex de Minaur (AUS) defeated [Q] Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-4 6-4
[4] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Zizou Bergs (BEL) 6-2 6-1
[5] Andrey Rublev (RUS) defeated Nuno Borges (POR) 6-3 6-4
[8] Jack Draper (GBR) defeated [Q] Christopher O’Connell (AUS) 6-2 6-1
Jiri Lehecka (CZE) defeated Fabian Marozsan (HUN) 6-4 6-2
Matteo Berrettini (ITA) defeated Tallon Griekspoor (NED) 7-6 6-7 6-4
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) W/O