De Minaur seeks to finally make Australian Open quarterfinals - ESPN

MELBOURNE, Australia — After tracking down a ball he had absolutely no right getting his racket on and flicking a backhand cross-court winner past the outstretched left arm of Francisco Cerundolo to secure an all-important fourth set break of serve, a steely-faced Alex de Minaur began slapping his thighs in wild celebration. It was his own version of LeBron James' iconic «Silencer» move.

«The legs, they're back,» de Minaur later declared in his on-court interview, after serving out his third-round Australian Open match and booking his place in the Round of 16. «It's been a long six months, but geez it feels good.»

It was a reference to last year's most untimely injury. De Minaur had sustained a hip strain on match point of his fourth-round Wimbledon clash against Frenchman Arthur Fils. The Australian would win the match but ultimately be forced to painfully withdraw from his quarterfinal against 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic two days later.

Saturday's match against Cerundolo at Rod Laver Arena was far from perfect. De Minaur had to overcome a one-set deficit and the serving «yips» — he struck nine double faults — to advance to the fourth round of his home Grand Slam. But his performance did highlight two key aspects of his game. First, his unrivaled movement around the court. Those legs most definitely are back. And second, his inspiring resilience.

«I found a way. That's all I need to do in these types of moments… find a way to get through the first week,» said a relieved de Minaur. «Before I walk on the court I make a pact with myself that I'm going to compete until the last point, no matter what. I'd rather win ugly any day than lose pretty, right?»

In many ways it feels as if we've seen this de Minaur movie