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Alex de Minaur is revelling in his role as the nation's great hope after producing his best start in eight Australian Open tilts at Melbourne Park.
Hungrier and fitter than ever, Alex de Minaur is promising to lay it all on the line in pursuit of a hoodoo-busting home Australian Open triumph in Melbourne.
De Minaur was left buzzing after making his most impressive start yet to an Open campaign, dropping just 10 games to a dangerous foe who sent four-time grand slam champ Carlos Alcaraz packing from the US Open in September.
"Nights like tonight is what you dream of, playing prime-time on RLA. It's special, man," the world No.8 said after dispatching Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1 7-5 6-4.
"Going out there, everyone has your back, getting you fired up. It's a great feeling to go out there, play some good tennis and get the win."
Finally free of the hip injury that curtailed the second half of an otherwise stellar season featuring three slam quarter-finals and a first-time showing at the ATP Finals, de Minaur has never felt better about his Open chances.
And that confidence is well placed, with the Australian borrowing a famous play from four-time AO winner Andre Agassi, who used to trek Las Vegas's Magic Mountain on Christmas Day while his rivals were scoffing down turkey and pudding.
"It's been a process, right - my whole journey, life, career, getting stronger. That's always been the goal without losing the cardio or the fitness aspect to it," de Minaur said.
"This year we worked even harder.
"We finished pre-season, finished Davis Cup, and then some people take some holidays or some time off at the end of the year, but I wanted to get straight back to work because there is not a lot of time to work on yourself.
"The motivation has never been higher."
What initially shaped as a devilish path to a maiden quarter-final at Melbourne Park has opened up somewhat for de Minaur, with his slated fourth-round opponent, 2023 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas, removed from the draw.
The spectre of striking world No.1 Jannik Sinner - who he has never beaten in nine meetings - still remains, but two seeds have already also fallen from the top quarter.
Next up for de Minaur in his quest to become the first Australian man to win the Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976 is world No.136 Tristan Boyer on Thursday.
The American qualifier has much on his mind after revealing his father had to evacuate from the family home due to the deadly fires in Los Angeles.
"Obviously it's a horrible situation right now in California," de Minaur said.
"All my condolences goes to all of those affected in that area. You don't want to see that anywhere, any place in the world.
"So I'm sure he's going through a lot but I'm sure his (first-round) win would have given him a little pep on his step and would have been a good feeling in a very tough time for him.
"As for our match-up, I'm looking forward to it."
Three other Australians are in day-five action, including WA wildcard Tristan Schoolkate against the top-seeded defending champion Sinner.
James McCabe plays American Alex Michelsen, while inspired qualifier Destanee Aiava faces US 10th seed Danielle Collins, the 2022 women's runner-up to Ash Barty.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY FIVE OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:-
Men's singles, second round
8-Alex de Minaur v Tristan Boyer (USA)
Tristan Schoolkate v 1-Jannik Sinner (ITA)
James McCabe v Alex Michelsen (USA)
Women's singles, second round
Destanee Aiava v 10-Danielle Collins (USA)