Two mouthwatering clashes await the remaining Aussies in singles action at Roland Garros, as Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina fight for a place in the final 16.
De Minaur will play on Saturday morning (AEST) when he battles Czech youngster Jakub Mensik, while Kasatkina is up against world No.1 and reigning Roland Garros finalist Aryna Sabalenka the following day.
The Australian No.1 will hope to maintain his perfect record against Mensik, winning all five of their encounters, including their most recent battle at the United Cup in January.
Entering their first claycourt encounter, De Minaur has time on his side. After a four-day break following Alexander Blockx’s withdrawal before their second-round meeting, he enters this match fresher than Mensik, who endured a near five-hour, five-set match against Argentine Mariano Navone in the second round.
However, despite the variables, the world No.7 is focused on consistently reaching the pointy end of Grand Slam tournaments.
“At the start of my career it was all about trying to win a match,” he said.
“I feel like over the years I've understood that my goal as a tennis player in these types of events is to do my best to keep my head down and get through matches. It doesn't need to be pretty. It doesn't need to be the most amazing matches. As long as I can keep getting through these types of matches and rounds, they all accumulate, and they all add incredible kind of confidence.
“I feel like I'm a player that plays better as the tournament goes on. So I become, at the same time, more dangerous as the tournament kind of goes along. For me, that's the goal.”
> READ: De Minaur, Kasatkina power home in Paris
Victory would see De Minaur reach the second week of a Slam for the 10th time in his last 11 campaigns.
As for Daria Kasatkina, she will look to become the first Australian woman to defeat a world No. 1 at a major since Sam Stosur beat Serena Williams at Roland Garros in 2010 when she takes on Sabalenka.
A former semifinalist at the French tournament, the world No.53 has won her opening two matches in straight sets to set up her 10th meeting with Sabalenka. Despite what might seem like a daunting task, Kasatkina is up for the fight.
“I think it's a challenge for everyone. She's a multiple Grand Slam champion and world No.1, for a reason,” she said.
“I think it's still going to be hot on Saturday, so that might be my advantage. But, at the end of the day, I'm going to just fight for every ball.
Kasatkina has regained form this claycourt season, winning 12 of her last 14 matches. She says that experience has helped build confidence to place herself in a position to battle the four-time major winner.
“I’ve obviously, been through hard times, and now being in the situation where I am, looking back, I’ve already played quite a lot of matches in the last, let's say three weeks,” she said.
“Won a lot of matches out of all those, 13, 14 matches, this is what we’ve been working towards. This [tournament] is very important for me, because this is where I'm finding my confidence, little by little, building up my feeling on the court again.
“On Saturday it's going to be huge challenge, for sure. It doesn't matter who I play. In this case, we're going to have a beautiful court … I'm really looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile in doubles action, four Australians are still in contention, with Storm Hunter, Ellen Perez, Maya Joint and John Peers all through to the second round.
Aussies in action: Roland Garros
COMING UP
Men’s singles, third round
[8] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [26] Jakub Mensik (CZE) – Third match, Court Simonne-Mathieu
Women’s singles, third round
Daria Kasatkina (AUS) v [1] Aryna Sabalenka
You can watch the Australians in action on the channels of the Nine Network and Stan Sport.