Alex de Minaur feels he's become a target for the would-be giant-killers since he's roared into the world's top 10 - but he welcomes being under fire at Wimbledon.
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After launching his bid for glory on Tuesday with a tricky triple tie-break, straight-sets win over Australian 'lucky loser' James Duckworth, de Minaur noted how it's not just his compatriots who now see him as a considerable target.
Duckworth predicted ninth seed de Minaur has a strong chance of becoming the first Australian men's winner since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 following his 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) loss.
"Ultimately, it's the aim of the game really, right? It's a good position to be in," de Minaur said of his new status after a win watched at courtside by Hewitt.
"I don't think it's just the Aussies targeting me - the rest of the field now see it as a chance to have a crack at me.
"It's good. It means a lot of these players are playing against you with not a lot to lose.
"Therefore you've got to always bring your best level if you want to get through, and that's what makes you even tougher and gives you even more confidence about being able to squeak through tough moments. It definitely helped in the tiebreakers.
"It's never easy playing a fellow Aussie like 'Ducks', who is a great grass-court player. I'm happy to be through."
Duckworth, 32, recognised that de Minaur - who he first helped in practice sessions at Homebush as a 15-year-old - had not been at his best in the win.
"He could have played better for sure - first round, another Aussie, he hadn't played a match for 10 days or so," Duckworth said.
"But he's a bloody good player, especially on this surface.
"He's only going to get better from this match, and I hope he wins the tournament. Absolutely, I fancy his chances."
Next up for de Minaur will be Jaume Munar, a clay-court specialist the Aussie played against in junior matches after moving to Spain and a man he recently beat fairly comfortably at the French Open.
But de Minaur remains wary.
"Maybe I've got a little bit more experience than he does on the grass, but he's played some good matches," he said.
"I remember him playing against (Britain's Cameron) Norrie and having an absolute battle one year here, so I'm definitely not taking it lightly."
Australian Associated Press
