Nadal next on agenda for Aussies’ new kid on block

ALEX De Minaur will carry Australian hopes on his shoulders when he takes on Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old Australian No.1 has already established a reputation as one of the fittest and fiercest competitors on tour and needed to show both those qualities in a five-set victory over Henri Laaksonen, quelling the Swiss qualifier’s fightback to win 6-4 6-2 6-7 (7) 4-6 6-3.

Nadal looked sharper than he had in the first round in beating Australian Matt Ebden 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Taylor Fritz will face

Roger Federer after upsetting Gael Monfils 6-3 6-7 (8) 7-6 (6) 7-6 (5). Fritz was not the only young American to make waves, with 20-year-old Frances Tiafoe claiming the biggest scalp of the tournament so far with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 7-5 victory over fifth seed and Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson. Roberto Bautista Agut continued to do things the hard way after his epic win over Andy Murray, again winning the first two sets before coming through in five against Alex De Minaur John Millman. Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova set up a blockbuster thirdround meeting in the women’s singles. Both women were in formidable form against Swedish opposition, with the defending champion beating Johanna Larsson 6-1 6-3 before Sharapova dispatched Rebecca Peterson 6-2 6-1.

It was generally a good day for the leading names, with second seed Angelique Kerber, fifth seed Sloane Stephens, eighth seed Petra Kvitova and home hope Ashleigh Barty all winning comfortably.