Australian Open organisers have chance to help Alex de Minaur beat Frances Tiafoe.

Alex de Minaur is through to the third round of the Australian Open, but won’t want to stop there…

Australia’s number one tennis player booked his place in the third round on Wednesday, when De Minaur defeated Hamad Medjedovic in four sets, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

He will now prepare to take on America’s Frances Tiafoe, who beat Francisco Comesana in his second-round match.

The match promises to be a thriller, pitting two of the most exciting players on the ATP Tour against each other.

Tournament organisers would undoubtedly prefer to see their man, De Minaur, advance, although there’s not much they can do to affect the result.

Or is there…

Australian Open organisers should make Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe play in the day session
De Minaur vs Tiafoe seems destined to be given the night session spot on Rod Laver Arena.

But while that may be ‘best for business’, would it really be what’s best for the Australian number one?

If we know anything about Tiafoe, it’s that he thrives when the spotlight is on him.

Time and time again, the American has produced his best tennis under the lights on the biggest of stages.

When the going gets tough, and everyone is watching… Tiafoe gets going.

If you need evidence to this point, just look at how he has performed at his home Grand Slam, the US Open, over recent years.

On several occasions, Tiafoe managed to find another gear during the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

But what happens when he isn’t given the spotlight?

Well, last year at the US Open, Tiafoe showed that he couldn’t get it done on the ‘smaller’ stage.

Tiafoe lost to Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round on Grandstand, exiting the tournament without much fuss at all.

If the Australian Open tournament organisers and Craig Tiley want to give De Minaur the best chance of advancing, they would be wise to take note of what happened at Flushing Meadows.

Giving Tiafoe the night session spot is exactly what he wants, and you would almost certainly get him at his best, livening up the crowd.

Making him play De Minaur in the earlier session, perhaps even on one of the smaller courts, would nullify one of Tiafoe’s greatest strengths.

Now, there is, of course, a limit to what Tiley and Co. can do, as it would look ridiculous to put Tiafoe and De Minaur on Court 13, for example.

But, a day session on Margaret Court Arena? That could work…

Where and when have Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur played their matches so far this tournament?
Both players have contested two matches at this year’s Australian Open, but have they played during the day or night, and on what courts?

Tiafoe played his opening match on the John Cain Arena, defeating the home favorite Jason Kubler during the night session.

De Minaur played during the day for his first round match, taking down Mackenzie McDonald on Rod Laver Arena.

Tiafoe won another night session match in the second round when he beat Comesana on Margaret Court Arena.

And, De Minaur beat Medjedovic in the night session on Rod Laver Arena.

Through two rounds, De Minaur has experienced both day and night sessions, while Tiafoe has only played night session matches.

Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe’s head-to-head record
It remains to be seen where and when Tiafoe and De Minaur will play their third-round match, but who has had the better of their rivalry so far?

Playing four times, De Minaur leads their head-to-head 3-1.

The Aussie beat Tiafoe at the 2018 US Open, the 2019 Next Gen Finals, and at the Canadian Open last year.

Only time will tell if he can pick up a fourth win over Tiafoe and secure his place in the Australian Open last-16.