The Italian world No.41 managed to land only 41 per cent of his first serves and became too cautious with his second in the final game of the set as de Minaur got on the front foot and crashed a forehand winner down the line.

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2.25PM: ‘HE’S GOING TO HIT HIMSELF OUT OF THIS MATCH’

The pressure is starting to tell on the young Italian, who pressed De Minaur hard in the opening game of the second set – desperate to make up for his first set stumbles.

Instead, De Minaur held. And you could see the mental impact it has had on Rinaldi.

“This happens a lot when you had your opportunity and then you think you have to go bigger and bigger,” says Todd Woodbridge after an Arnaldi forehand sails wide, bringing up a break point.

“That’s just the wrong shot at the wrong time and it brings de Minaur, his chance to get an early break.”

The Australian converts off another Arnaldi error, following a gruelling point.

“He has to be willing to reset points after he’s hit what he thinks is a point- ending shot and it comes back because of Demon’s defence,” adds Jim Courier.

“He’s just got to hit the restart button and be willing to grind, otherwise he’s going to hit himself out of this match quickly.”

In no time, De Minaur races to a 3-0 lead in the second set.

2.15PM: DEMON TAKES FIRST SET IN BRUTAL FASHION

– Ed Bourke

Alex de Minaur has made a big statement with two brutal forehand returns to break Matteo Arnaldi a second time and take out the first set 6-3 in 43 minutes.

The Italian world No. 41 has managed to land only 41 per cent of his first serves and became too cautious with his second in the final game of the set as de Minaur got on the front foot and crashed a forehand winner down the line.

de Minaur then repeated the dose off Arnaldi’s first serve to win a break point before closing out the set.

The Aussie began to find rhythm with his own serve after a wayward start to the match, but still had to save a break point at 5-3 as Arnaldi pushed him in a seven-minute long service game.

2.10PM: DE MINAUR ESCAPES ANOTHER TRICKY GAME

Demon saves another break point on his serve, and is now just one game away from taking the opening set.

“This is a tough match for Alex, but it has to feel great for him to be able to be in control so much more in this match-up than he was against Raonic,” says Jim Courier.

“Having experienced matches like this, playing people that didn’t let me play, it felt so freeing to actually be able to set points up and construct things, rather than just react to missiles coming at you.”

1.55PM: UNDER-THE-ROOF TENNIS CAUSING ISSUES

– Ed Bourke

Alex de Minaur has gained the ascendancy early over Matteo Arnaldi as both players struggle with their serve while adjusting to the conditions under the closed roof on Rod Laver Arena.

The Australian world no. 10 landed only a quarter of his first serves in his opening service game while Arnaldi went at just 43 per cent as both received an early chance with a break point.

de Minaur piled pressure on Arnaldi’s serve to win three more break points in the third game, winning a big point at 30-40 with a superb forehand lob which bounced just inside the baseline.

The 22-year-old Italian tried to answer the lob with an audacious “tweener” shot but it fell short, before de Minaur held serve to claim a 3-1 advantage.

1.45PM: DEMON GRABS EARLY BREAK

That’s a good nerve-settler for the Australian, who gets the early break by way of a delightful lob which Lleyton Hewitt would’ve been proud of.

De Minaur brought up three break points – and was able to convert on the third.

He’s starting to get the rhythm of this contest, and with a quick hold soon after he has opened up a 3-1 lead.

“That’s a great start in this match for de Minaur. Survives challenge to his opening service game and starts to get a bit more rhythm with his serve and his second attempt at it,” says Jim Courier.

“He’s come out of the blocks hot in 2024.”

1.40PM: ARNALDI SAVES EARLY DEMON BREAK CHANCE

Alex de Minaur has shot out the blocks early, and almost had a dream start, but it’s clear he’s going to have a fight on his hand with the rising Italian star.

Arnaldi offered up an early break point by way of a double fault – before saving it with a monster forehand, and then mopping up the opening game.

Arnaldi’s groundstrokes are certainly dangerous however, and while he doesn’t have the booming serve of Milos Raonic, he’s much better around the court. So this is going to be a very different match to what de Minaur went through a few nights ago.

But it is on serve at 1-1 early on.

1.25PM: DEMON ON COURT FOR SECOND ROUND CLASH

Alex de Minaur is on court a little earlier than expected today – following the stunning straight sets defeat of sixth seed Ons Jabeur in the first match on Rod Laver Arena.

The Australian will be firm favourite to advance to the third round when he takes on Matteo Arnaldi, and he should be fresh after a shortened round-one match against Milos Raonic, who retired with a hip complaint.

Arnaldi defeated Australian Adam Walton in the first round.

“Alex extremely relaxed. A lot of this match will be played on his terms,” said Australian great Lleyton Hewitt.

“It is about obviously holding his service games and going after the Arnaldi second serve when he gets the opportunity.

1PM: ‘WE WANT REVENGE’: LLEYTON’S DEMON PLEDGE

Alex de Minaur will have extra motivation when he faces Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi later this afternoon.

Not only is a spot in the Australian third round on offer, but Australian legend Lleyton Hewitt believes the world No.10 will be out for revenge after last year’s Davis Cup heartache.

Arnaldi put Italy on the path to victory in the Davis Cup semi-finals when he toppled Alexei Popyrin, before De Minaur was rolled by Jannik Sinner.

And the defeat still stings the Australians, with Hewitt admitting to having nightmares about the missed opportunities as he suggested de Minaur will want to take it out on the rising Italian star.

“We want revenge. I’m still having nightmares where Arnaldi won a cliffhanger against Alexei Popyrin,” Hewitt, Australia’s Davis Cup captain, said on Wednesday.

“If we were somehow able to win that match we would have held up the Davis Cup trophy. That’s been tough. That will be in the back of Alex’s mind.”

“It was a tough pill to swallow. To come so close yet again two years in a row. I know how much it hurts the boys. That will drive them on to bigger and better things.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2024: Alex de Minaur vs Matteo Arnaldi live scores, coverage, start time