Alex de Minaur's Washington Open title defense nearly unraveled before it began, but the Australian survived a tense three-set battle with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday to advance. The victory sets up an intriguing all-Australian showdown with 17-year-old qualifier Cruz Hewitt, son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt. Main Developments De Minaur edged Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a match that featured momentum swings and high drama. The Greek former world number three had won 12 of their previous 13 meetings, but de Minaur turned the tables on the Washington hardcourts. After saving a break point in the fourth game, de Minaur gifted Tsitsipas a break with consecutive double faults. He responded with two breaks of his own and saved another break point in the tenth game to clinch the opening set. Read also: Rahane Retires: India's Overseas Test Hero Calls It Quits Tsitsipas broke early in the second set and held on to force a decider. But de Minaur capitalized on a Tsitsipas unforced error to seize an early break in the third, then held serve to close out the match. “It's no secret my head-to-head isn't the greatest against him. He's gotten the better of me many, many times,” de Minaur said. “I'm happy with how it went today… played the match on its own merits, and ultimately found a way in a tricky, tricky match.” Background De Minaur entered the tournament as defending champion, having won the Washington title last year. His next opponent, Cruz Hewitt, earned his first-ever ATP Tour victory earlier this week, making the teenager a breakout story. Cruz is the son of Lleyton Hewitt, the former world number one and current Australian Davis Cup captain. De Minaur joked he wouldn't be offended if his captain roots for his son: “I would expect him to be in his son's box, and rightfully so.” Elsewhere, third-seeded American Taylor Fritz reached the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Poland's Kamil Majchrzak. Women's third seed Naomi Osaka also advanced after American Ashlyn Krueger retired while trailing 6-3, 3-1. Why It Matters For de Minaur, this win breaks a long losing streak against a top rival and keeps his title defense alive. For Cruz Hewitt, the match represents a chance to make a name against a top-10 player, with his father watching from the stands. The tournament also saw Filipino star Alexandra Eala continue her breakout season, defeating defending champion Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) after saving a 5-1 deficit in the second set. Eala, now ranked 28th, stunned Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon last month to become the first Philippines player to reach a Grand Slam's last 16. What's Next De Minaur faces Cruz Hewitt in the next round, a match with obvious narrative appeal. Osaka will meet Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who upset eighth-seeded Emma Navarro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Eala awaits her quarter-final opponent as she aims to build on her historic season.