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Aussie De Minaur into Brisbane semis

Australian wildcard Alex De Minaur has continued his giant killing run to book a Brisbane International semi-final berth.

Alex De Minaur of Australia plays a shot in his quarter final match
Alex De Minaur has continued his fabulous run, booking a Brisbane International semi-final berth. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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His inspiration may be the NSW State of Origin team but Australian wildcard Alex De Minaur has still emerged as a Brisbane International dark horse after again pulling off what few Blues teams can - winning in Queensland.

Sydney-born, Spain-based De Minaur, 18, continued his giant-killing run when he booked his first tour semi-final berth by overcoming American Michael Mmoh 6-4 6-0 at Pat Rafter Arena on Friday.

World No.208 De Minaur uses a "Blue Wall" cry to pump himself up during matches in a nod to his allegiance to NSW.

While the Blues haven't had much luck - losing 11 of the past 12 Origin series - De Minaur has only had good fortune channelling them on court in Brisbane.

Perhaps even more remarkably, the dyed-in-the-wool Blues supporter has been embraced by the Queensland crowd.

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"It's a sport that I really got into it. And (fellow Australian tour players) Jordan Thompson and Matt Reid really got me into it and the 'Blue Wall'," De Minaur said.

"I enjoy every second of it (Origin). It's something to be proud of. I'm a proud New South Welshman."

He booked a semi-final clash with American Ryan Harrison who led 7-6 (8-6) 4-2 before Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin retired with a hip strain.

Australian No.1 Nick Kyrgios also secured a semi-final and will face the winner of Friday night's clash between top seed Grigor Dimitrov and Briton Kyle Edmund.

Appearing in their first tour quarterfinal, De Minaur - ranked 33 spots lower than his opponent - outmuscled the 19-year-old Mmoh in the first set before cruising through the second in just 25 minutes.

De Minaur backed up from his shock straight sets second-round win over former world No.3 Milos Raonic.

"The best way to describe this is at the moment is I'm in this really good dream and I really don't want to wake up - just disbelief, really," De Minaur said.

With mentor Lleyton Hewitt screaming encouragement court-side, De Minaur saved three break points in the sixth game to find his range and clinch the first set in 49 minutes with a booming forehand winner.

The second set became a blur as De Minaur dominated, thrashing 17 total winners to Mmoh's nine.

De Minaur - who has a Spanish mum and Uruguayan father - also feasted on Mmoh's 26 unforced errors.

He's spent the last three years living in Spain with his family after also being based there from age five to 13.

The Australian ended a spirited run by Saudi Arabia-born and raised Mmoh, who is the son of a Nigerian former tennis player and an Irish-Australian nurse.


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