Young American Alex Michelsen has held his nerve to send Greek crowd favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas packing in a massive first-round boilover at the Australian Open, opening up a favourable draw for top local hope, Alex de Minaur.

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.