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 overcame a one-set deficit and his own serving yips Saturday afternoon to defeat 31st-seed Francisco Cerundolo in a marathon third-round Australian Open match.

Alex de Minaur knows he still has a mountain to climb after reaching the last eight of Australian Open for the first time. Looking to end a 49-year drought since Australia celebrated a local men's winner, de Minaur lodged a convincing 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victory over rising American Alex Michelsen on Monday night.

In a workmanlike display, Alex de Minaur calls upon his fighting spirit to defeat Francisco Cerúndolo in four sets and reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

Alex de Minaur will be aiming to make the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time when he takes on American talent Alex Michelsen at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. The Australian eighth seed has reached the fourth round on four occasions but has never made it through to the last eight at Melbourne Park.