• Local hero defeats Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5, 6-4
• No 8 seed says he is ‘feeling good’ after fitness problems

On the stage of the Australian Open this year, Alex de Minaur is giving irresistible main character energy. Just one round in he has survived the elimination of would-be co-stars, is romantically intertwined, and in his first real scene delivered his lines with aplomb.

The Australian No 8 seed produced a flashy opener in the first set against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, before the plot threw up just enough intrigue to entertain a full Rod Laver Arena. Of course, the local hero prevailed 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in 142 minutes.