Local wildcard Chris O'Connell has sent 13th seed Diego Schwartzman crashing out of the Australian Open to advance to the third round at a grand slam for the first time.
After claiming a marathon opening set in a tiebreak, the late-blooming O'Connell continued to play the big points better against the Argentinian counter-puncher.
O'Connell wrapped up the upset victory 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and seven minutes to set up a round-of-32 clash against American Maxime Cressy.
As was the case with O'Connell, it will be the first time in the third round at any major for Cressy, who advanced by beating Czech qualifier Tomas Machac 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).
"It's the best feeling I've ever had on a tennis court," O'Connell said.
"Been playing tennis since I was four. To have moments like this, it's a dream come true. It's a little corny, but it is."
Schwartzman had reached the third round at Melbourne Park in each of the past four years and had never before lost at a grand slam to a player ranked as low as O'Connell, whose world ranking is 175th.
But the Australian underdog was roared home to victory by a raucous home crowd on Court 3.
I knew how crucial that first set was," O'Connell said.
"It was really warming up out there. It was really a battle back and forth. It was crucial to get that first set, especially in the heat. It was just getting hotter and hotter.
"I just hung tough, really tried to use the crowd's energy, which I haven't done that really in the past. Last year I didn't really take in my surroundings all that much on that court.
"This time when I walked out on court, I really took it in, really got to know the court. I think that helped me get the first set."
The 27-year-old had recorded just two victories at grand slams in his career prior to this tournament.
"I knew I had good results in me. It's just being consistent," he said.
"I felt today was a consistent match from me. I maintained the level throughout the whole match.
"But the biggest thing for me is just staying healthy, not having these injuries where I miss two months of tournaments.
"I nearly missed five or six months last year. I can't be doing that.
"Belief is always there, but I just got to make sure my body's healthy this year. I want to play a full year."
Alex De Minaur is one step closer to reaching the Australian Open second week for the first time after sweeping aside Kamil Majchrzak in straight sets to progress to the third round.
The 22-year-old equalled his best performance at his home slam, where he previously made the third round in 2019 and 2021, by comfortably accounting for the world No.107, 6-4 6-4 6-2.
Aussie wildcard scores upset winIt was de Minaur's first career win on Rod Laver Arena and earned him a golden opportunity to reach the last 16 via a match-up with Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar.
"I know Pablo very well. I've hit a lot with him," said No.32 seed de Minaur who has spent a lot of time based in Spain.
"He's a ripping competitor. He's had some amazing wins.
"It's a great position for me to be in and look, I'm just enjoying every second of it.
"Just keeping those positive vibes going and hopefully we can keep it going."
Madison Inglis will also be moving on after she defeated American qualifier Hailey Baptiste 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2.
The world number 127 rode a rowdy crowd at Margaret Court Arena to turn around an uneven second set to claim victory in the decider.
It's already Inglis' best result in a grand slam and she'll face either Kaia Kanepi or Marie Bouzkova on Saturday.
"This is so special - this is just, playing on this court in front of this crowd and now I'm in the third round. I just can't believe it at the moment," Inglis said.
"It was insane. This is my favourite court and the best court I've ever played on. The crowd was just insane today, so thank you guys so much.
"Hayley played really well in the second set and she served well. I made a few errors at not a great time but I'm so glad that I could get my energy back up, thanks to you guys.
"I'm over the moon. It's a dream to play in a grand slam, and win a match on a court like this."
Earlier, Sam Stosur's singles career came to an end, with the veteran going down to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-2.
AAP/ABC
