21 year old Alexei Popyrin stole the show on day two of the Australian Open, saving four match points to defeat 13th seed David Goffin in a thriller on Show Court 3.
The New South Welshman saved four match points in the fourth set and came from a break behind in the fifth set to claim a major breakthrough victory 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(6), 6-3.
"I was near the brink of losing,so I think when coming back from match points, it reallygives you confidence for the upcoming rounds, and alsothe way I played was really pleasing to me. All thepreseason work that I did physically and on my game,you know, it all paid off today," Popyrin said.
The Aussie hit 12 aces and 50 winners in what he firmly believes was a career best victory:
"That was number one by far. Yeah, especially against who I played, a top-20 player, top-10 player by level, and also to save match points against him and beat him in five sets when he's known as like probably one of the fittest guys on tour. To beat him in five sets was really pleasing," Popyrin said.
Popyrin will face South African Lloyd Harris in the second round on Thursday - a player he's played twice, losing on both occasions.
"I played him once in Miami quallies and once last year, French Open. He won both times, so I know it's going to be a very difficult match for me. But I'm a different player. I'm a different player. I'm different mentally. I'm different with my game. It's definitely going to be really, really tough. I'm not taking it easy one bit, so it's going to be a really tough match, and hopefully I can perform the way I did today with less match points."
Also advancing to the second round was Thanasi Kokkinakis, who claimed his first win at Melbourne Park since 2015.
The South Australian dismantled Korean Soonwoo Kwon 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in what was an outstanding performance.
"Just playing with that energy and that crowd and being able to win, so much work behind the scenes, so much pain and just, yeah, just a massive relief," Kokkinakis said.
"I was just stoked. Yeah, very happy. Massive amount of relief, and, yeah, it was a bit emotional. As I said, the people around me know the ups and downs what I have been through mentally just trying to get to the starting line of the tournament, and feel like I can compete."
Kokkinakis will come up against fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round.
"It's going to be exciting. Obviously a phenomenal player, one of the favourites for this tournament. It's just going to be fun. We practiced a few years ago in the past. I kind of know his family. I've had some meals in Nice or Monaco with his family. Just obviously both being Greek, we get along."
26 year old Christopher O'Connell claimed a tremendous 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1 win over German Jan-Lennard Struff, in what was an incredibly impressive performance.
"I felt awesome out there, pretty relaxed and calm. I was serving well, but he was also serving well. So, yeah, the first couple sets ended up in a tiebreak. I just felt that my game lifted slightly. I just made a few more returns in the tiebreaks both sets. Really that was the, yeah, slight edge. Then, yeah, I felt like I just ran away with it a little bit in the third set.
"The more I play these type of events, the better I feel out there, the more confident and calm I feel out there because it's a different environment, different atmosphere," O'Connell said.
Next up, the New South Welshman will face Moldovan Radu Albot, who toppled 12th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets.
The highest ranked Australian in the mens draw - 21st seed Alex de Minaur was also a big winner on day two, thrashing controversial American Tennys Sandgren 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 on John Cain Arena.
"It's never easy first round at a slam, and especially this slam in particular. I had a bit of nerves coming in. It had been a while since I was playing at the Aussie Open, so it was great to be able to come out with a win today," de Minaur said.
De Minaur will face Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in the second round.
"I'm playing Pablo Cuevas. He's a very tough opponent, very solid. He's going to make me play a lot of balls. It's another tough match, similar in ways. I'm going to have to try and focus on my side of the court and do what I have planned and try to execute. At the end of the day that's what we've been working on to try to control the controllables and stay positive."
Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic put up a tremendous fight, but ultimately fell short against 19th seed Karen Khachanov 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(2), 4-6 in a tight encounter on Court 8.
Fellow Australian wildcard Li Tu was also ousted in a tight affair on day two, going down to Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-7(4), 4-6.
It was an unfortunate end to Jordan Thompson's Australian summer, with the Aussie forced to retire down 3-6, 3-6, 1-2 against 24th seed Casper Ruud, struggling with a neck complaint.
On the women's side of the draw, world no.1 Ash Barty demolished Danka Kovinic 6-0, 6-0 in 44 minutes, dropping just ten points.
"It was amazing. It sounded like there were a lot more people in there than I think actually were. Obviously a night session at Rod Laver Arena is really, really special. It was pretty nice to be outthere today. Beautiful weather for it, and actually it made the night session, nice sky, just a really enjoyable one," Barty said.
The Queenslander will face fellow Australian Daria Gavrilova in the second round, who advanced in the last match of the day on Margret Court Arena.
Gavrilova defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 7-5 in a match which was tighter than the scoreboard suggests.
The 26 year old also praised the atmosphere the crowd brought.
"I was surprised by how many people came out and watched me tonight that late. I was obviously very pleased with the showing. It was incredible. I've missed it so much. Yeah, it was unreal," Gavrilova said.
"I have been working pretty hard in the offseason, and I feel like I'm pretty, yeah, in a pretty good nick right now and moving really well. That obviously helps for me to dictate withmy forehand. I think I did that well today."
Over on John Cain Arena, following Alex de Minaur's win, Sam Stosur won the battle of the Aussies, downing youngster Destanee Aiava 6-4, 6-4.
It was Stosur's first win at Melbourne Park since 2015.
Australian wildcard Maddison Inglis put in an impressive showing, but was ultimately defeated in a tight contest by defending champion Sofia Kenin 5-7, 4-6.
Fellow Aussie wildcard Astra Sharma also put in a solid showing, but was ousted by Nao Hibino 6-2, 3-6, 5-7 in an incredibly close match on Show Court 3.
Arina Rodionova also unfortunately went down on day two, defeated by Madison Brengle 1-6, 2-6.
Tune in as The First Serve reporter Jedd Zetzer joined Jordan Kounelis to wrap up all the action from day two at Melbourne Park.