Alex de Minaur looking for our open tilt despite difficult trekking

In-shape Alex de Minaur has wiped a minefield pulling to be prepared for the 15-person indictment of Australia at the US Open in New York.

After a precious top-night sowing thanks to his 10th career title in Washington and a last eight run in Cincinnati, the Minaur is guaranteed to avoid a higher rival to at least the quarterfinals.

The cheerful tennis Roadrunner is not impressed by the prospect of potential battles of the first week with his rivals Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hugo Gaston, both of which have dominant records about the world no. 8 of Australia.

The Minaur is more focused on the past of friend Chris O’Connell in a seductive all-sasia first round between.

“I know Chris very well,” said the Minaur. “We actually played in the [Australian Open] Wildcard Playoff, my very first Wildcard Playoff when I was about 16, 17, and he absolutely bullyed me on the field.

“He is a great guy from Sydney. Amazing what he has even recently achieved, and I expect a fight.

“I don’t expect something to be easy. He is a very difficult opponent because he has many different weapons and has a fairly unique playing style.”

The Minaur has arrived at Flushing Meadows in a much more confident mood than last year when, roughly housed, he defied a hip injury to drag his battered body all the way to a fourth straight winningskkwart final.

“Last year there was a lot of uncertainty that I would even go to court,” he said.

“I wasn’t really sure and it was a fairly surreal week. Now this year I feel mentally, physically and ready to get started this year. I would much rather be a top-touch seed than just outside. It is definitely a different mindset.”

If he fulfills his sowing, the Minaur is expected to be World 3 Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, with reigning champion Jannik Sinner probably waiting in the semi -final.

Sinner and Second Seed Carlos Alcaraz have won the past seven slams between them.

“In the end they are now the two players who can be beat, right? They showed it,” said the Minaur.

“That is the challenge for us. We have to do our best to take on the challenge and take on it.

“So for me it is about placing myself in the right positions, to give myself those opportunities, those opportunities, and when I play Carlos or Jannik, this means that I am in a good place in the tournament.”

While the Minaur and O’Connell do not collide until Tuesday or Wednesday (AEST), three fellow Australians have a light schedule of the first day.

After a successful qualifying campaign, Destanee Aiava is confronted with a heavy test against the Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in the Feature Women’s Night Match at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Rinky Hijikata also plays an Italian, 32nd seed Luciano Darderi, while Jordan Thompson meets the Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

Australians in action on the first day (Monday Aest)

Men’s Singles

Rinky Hijikata V 32-Luciano Darderi (Ita)

Jordan Thompson v Corentin Moutet (FRA)

Singles for Women

Destanee Right V 7-Jasmine Polieni (angry)