Denis Shapovalov has upset an out-of-sorts Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 in broiling heat to reach his first Australian Open quarter-final on Sunday.
The Canadian lefthander was magnificent against the German third seed, earning one of his biggest career victories at Margaret Court Arena.
Shapovalov blew a match point with a wild forehand into the tramlines but wrapped up the contest when Zverev netted under pressure.
"Definitely happy with where the game is at," said the ecstatic 22-year-old, long tipped for success at the Grand Slams.
"I think off the ground I was just really playing very well, really feeling my shots off both wings."
The 14th seed will meet Rafa Nadal for a place in the semi-finals.
"It's always an honour to go up against a guy like Rafa," Shapovalov said of the Spanish great, who is bidding for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
"It's always going to be a battle against him. It's going to be a tough one but I'm going to enjoy it."
It was a disappointing exit for Zverev, who was bundled out of the quarter-finals by Novak Djokovic last year.
Late last year, Zverev suggested he and Russian Daniil Medvedev might become part of a new 'Big Three' with world number one Djokovic in the 2022 season.
Meanwhile, Gael Monfils' blistering start to the season continued, as he eased past Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 7-5 7-6(4) 6-3 to reach his second Australian Open quarter-finals.
With wife and top women's player Elina Svitolina beaming in the crowd, the flamboyant Frenchman lit up the Margaret Court Arena with sparkling shot-making to reach the last eight at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2016.
"It was really tough, he played extremely fast on both sides," said 17th seed Monfils.
"I tried to be very aggressive today ... It was just battling, battling, hanging in there."
Monfils wrapped up the match with trademark panache, leaping high to thump a backhand crosscourt winner and end Kecmanovic's dream run since the Serb avoided a first-round clash against the deported world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
At 35 and recently married, Monfils has a new lease on life and wants to go even further in the tournament.
"I want to do better .... We are not quite finished yet," he said.
Monfils will face Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-finals, after the Italian defeated Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5 7-6(4) 6-4.
Reuters.
