Alex de Minaur feels like he's entering a new world at the French Open as he plots to checkmate Daniil Medvedev in a fascinating last-16 duel that shapes like a duel of blitz chess on clay.
After a week of endless hanging around with the support cast at Roland Garros, frustrated by rain delays, scheduling woes, lack of practice time and chilly on-off court battles, de Minaur has deservedly battled his way towards a bit VIP pampering on under-cover Court Suzanne Lenglen.
But awaiting him is a potentially labyrinthine battle of wits with "the Octopus" Medvedev, whose long tentacles make for astounding court coverage that de Minaur rivals with his scurrying speed that once had a TV commentator comparing him, rather unflatteringly, to an uncrushable cockroach.
