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 has fought through a near-four-hour epic to keep his Australian Open title dream alive with a four-set third-round win over Francesco Cerundolo.

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.

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.”

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.

Alex de Minaur, the world No. 8, and Nick Kyrgios, who is back after a two-year battle with knee and wrist injuries, are the headliners for their country at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios emceed the night session on John Cain Arena Monday, before De Minaur headlines Rod Laver Arena, the pantheon of Australian tennis Tuesday night.

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.

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

Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen were born about 15 months apart and first crossed paths a decade ago when they were playing in Southern California tennis tournaments

Alex Michelsen apologised to his mum on court after progressing into the fourth round of the Australian Open. Michelsen has been one of the stories of the first week in Melbourne, with the 20-year-old catching the eye during his second Australian Open appearance.

MELBOURNE - Highlights of the seventh day of the Australian Open on Saturday (times GMT): Read more at straitstimes.com.