Top ranked Australian men’s player Alex de Minaur cruised into the fourth-round in Melbourne for the first time in his career.
He saw off Spain’s Pablo Andújar in straight sets; 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
The Sydney born star is handling the expectations perfectly, and alongside Ash Barty, both continue to fly the flag for Australian hopes.
Next up for the youngster is the talented Italian Jannik Sinner, who beat Japan’s Taro Daniel in four sets.
Playing a home backed player on Rod Laver Arena would intimidate anyone, and Andújar was broken in the opening game, as the crowd vociferously backed de Minaur.
But the 35-year-old from Cuenca has played all over the world, and shook off any intimidation and immediately broke back.
The veteran Spaniard opened up a 3-2 lead, but the 22-year-old clawed his way back into the set and broke serve to go 5-3 ahead.
On his second set point, de Minaur took the opener 6-4, coming out on top in a gruelling rally, as Andújar’s forehand thundered into the net.
At one-all in the second set, de Minaur pounced on some sloppy Andújar errors to level at 40-all, before snapping up a second break point.
The 32nd seed forged into a 3-1 lead, and although Andújar continued to hold serve, so did de Minaur.
At 5-3, 30-all, the point of the match saw de Minaur produce a sublime lob, to earn set point. The Spaniard showed his class, applauding his opponent.
But Andújar dug deep and saved set point.
However, de Minaur was not to be denied, and, similar to the opening set, he served it out 6-4, as Andújar could only thump a forehand into the net.
Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt was on his feet, as were the rest of Rod Laver Arena, as de Minaur took a two-set lead.
The third set began on serve, but de Minaur got the vital breakthrough at two games all and moved into the lead.
He then won five successive games to clinch his place in the second week of his home Grand Slam.
After the match, de Minaur paid tribute to his idol.
“It was pretty exciting to play here on Rod Laver Arena at 7pm and in front of the great Rod Laver himself,” he said.
“It’s a pretty amazing feeling and I got the win, so what more can I ask for.
“I love playing here, the atmosphere is electric. There’s no place I’d rather be. I’m in my home slam doing what I love. I’m living the dream.”
