Alex de Minaur has explained why he slapped his legs during the fourth and final set of his match against Francisco Cerundolo. The No. 8 seed stormed back from a break down to advance to the second week of the Australian Open with a 5-7 7-6(3) 6-3 6-3 victory.

Alex de Minaur won his first round match in straight sets, then had time to support fiancee Katie Boulter as she fought through in three sets to progress into the second round of the Australian Open after all six other Aussies in action fell to defeat — as it happened.

A remarkable reflex volley has helped Alex de Minaur avoid disaster and progress to the last 16 of the Australian Open. De Minaur battled to a 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-3 victory over 31st seed Francisco Cerundolo in a gruelling match that went a tick under four hours.

Pressure is said to be a privilege, and this has never been lost on Alex de Minaur, but the world number eight has become accustomed to bearing the weight of expectation.

Here’s the remarkable truth about Alex de Minaur. Apart from the remarkable ability to overachieve, he’s completely unremarkable. It’s remarkable. I’ve searched his closet and there’s not a single skeleton to be found.

It was the opening round of the 2017 Australian Open in de Minaur’s first main draw at his first major championship in his home country, when the then-17-year-old saved a match point in the fourth set before beating Gerald Melzer in five sets and almost four hours.

Katie Boulter made a heart-warming request to the Australian Open staff during her fiance Alex de Minaur’s second-round match. Boulter and De Minaur have been labelled tennis’ power couple, with the pair having announced their engagement late last year.

In the Round of 64 at the Australian Open on Wednesday, Tristan Boyer (ranked No. 136) faces Alex de Minaur (No. 8).In his last competition, Boyer fell to Joris de Loore 4-6, 4-6 in the qualifying

Alex de Minaur has reached a career-best Australian Open fourth round for the fourth time after eclipsing Francisco Cerundolo in four hard-fought sets at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday. The eighth seed lost the first set but eventually grinded the Argentine 31st seed down,

When the French world No. 41 stunned Taylor Fritz, he told the Margaret Court Arena spectators that he “warmed up the court” for his wife. Svitolina then stormed back to upset Jasmine Paolini and said: “I would want to say that I got inspired after my husband’s win.”

Francisco Cerundolo (No. 31 ranking) will face Alex de Minaur (No. 8) in the Round of 32 of the Australian Open on Friday, January 17.Cerundolo moved on to the Round of 32 after his last match