Alex de Minaur might be currently residing in southwest London with fiancée Katie Boutler, and he is feeling equally at home at the All-England Club.
The world No.6 produced another clinical display on Thursday, recording a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over French veteran Adrian Mannarino to bound into the third round.
De Minaur is building on a strong grasscourt swing, winning seven of his nine matches on the surface this season. This includes reaching the s-Hertogenbosch final, where he defeated Mannarino en route.
Although De Minaur now holds a 6-1 record against the Frenchman, he still views him as a difficult opponent.
“I know how dangerous Adrian is. We’ve played each other many times and I think we both hate playing each other. We both make each other’s lives very difficult,” he said. “I’m going to have to get some treatment on my lower back from bending down so much.”
It was a typical De Minaur performance, relentless on his first serve, coupled with a damaging return game.
De Minaur fired 21 winners, including seven aces, in his 14th Wimbledon victory, almost hitting more aces than Mannarino did total winners (8).
After cruising past Argentine Roman Andres Burruchaga in the first round, De Minaur picked up where he left off on Thursday on No.3 Court. The Australian won 13 of 14 points on his first serve in the opening set, while his opponent committed four double faults.
It would not get easier for Mannarino as De Minaur kicked into overdrive in the second set. While De Minaur’s clutch serving continued to cause problems, his movement around the court began to slowly unwind the Frenchman’s game.
This set the tone for the remainder of the match as the New South Welshman advanced to the last 32 at SW19 for the fifth time in his career.
“I love playing on this court. I think I play some great matches. There’s a great atmosphere here, I just love it,” De Minaur said.
“I’m hoping that I can stay here for a long time.”
He will now face either Kamil Majchrzak in a rematch of the s-Hertogenbosch final, or Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.
De Minaur joins Daria Kasatkina in the third round after she defeated Janice Tjen on Wednesday. Maya Joint, Kimberly Birrell and James Duckworth will seek to increase that number in their second-round matches later on Day 4.
Aussies in action: Wimbledon
RESULTS – Day 4
Men’s singles, second round
[5] Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-3 6-2 6-2
COMING UP – Day 4
Men’s singles, second round
James Duckworth (AUS) v [9] Flavio Cobolli (ITA) – Third match, No.3 Court
Women’s singles, second round
Maya Joint (AUS) v [29] Alexandra Eala (PHI) – Second match, No.3 Court
Kimberly Birrell (AUS) v [17] Sorana Cirstea (ROU) – Fourth match, Court 12
COMING UP – Day 5
Women’s singles, second round
Daria Kasatkina (AUS) v [14] Naomi Osaka (JPN)
You can watch Wimbledon on the channels of the Nine Network and Stan Sport.