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Alex de Minaur has found a way of getting over his Wimbledon singles exit - by making a winning debut at mixed doubles with his girlfriend Katie Boulter.
Alex de Minaur has found the best way to put a miserable Wimbledon singles exit behind him is by enjoying a winning mixed doubles debut with his British girlfriend Katie Boulter.
The couple, playing together as a doubles pairing for the first time, beat de Minaur's Australian compatriots Storm Hunter and John Peers 6-2 6-4 late on Friday.
It at least brought a smile to the face of the national No.1 de Minaur, who had earlier in the day cut a dejected figure in a straight-sets loss to Italian Matteo Berrettini in the singles, while Boulter had tried to offer encouragement at courtside.
De Minaur had explained before the match: "I've been bugging her for a while to play.
"We said we would give it a go at least one time. I've been prepping, playing a lot of doubles this grass court season, for this mixed.
"She hasn't on the other hand so she might be a little bit rusty, but I'm sure it's gonna be a lot of fun."
Asked who would take the lead on the court, de Minaur laughed: "We're equals out there. Absolutely equals!"
The couple, who have been dating for three years, have suddenly come during Wimbledon a staple diet in the UK press as the new tennis 'It' couple, even featuring in an article in Britain's high-society Tatler magazine.
Boulter's success as the new British No.1 in place of the injured Emma Raducanu has hugely enhanced her profile, and de Minaur is expected to be on Centre Court on Saturday cheering her on as she aims to defeat defending champion Elena Rybakina.
"Since the moment I met her I knew she had it in her," de Minaur said, talking up her chances.
"I've always thought she's such a high-quality player, and it's been amazing and great to see how she's developed.
"The way she's been handling the spotlight, the pressures, it's been pretty astounding to me. You know, now it's probably my turn to start learning from her. I genuinely think that it's only the beginning for her."
