Wildcard teen Thanasi Kokkinakis credits a training session flogging from veteran Lleyton Hewitt that has set him up for a tilt at the Australian Open junior title.
The South Australian 16-year-old marched into the third round of the junior boys singles with a 2-6 6-4 6-3 win over Czech Robin Stanek.
He then combined with his great mate, another promising Australian 16-year-old Nick Kyrgios to win their round two doubles match against third seeds Stanek and Italian Filippo Baldi 6-3 6-1.
Third-seeded Canberran Kyrgios, who this week became the world No.1 junior, crushed Kiwi Cameron Norrie in his second round match 6-3 6-1.
Kokkinakis said he recently trained with Hewitt, who gave him the “hardest session he’d had in his life”.
“I’ve never hit that many balls in one training session in my life,” he said.
“I couldn’t feel my hand after but I think it’s made it easier for me this week.”
Kokkinakis landed in the limelight at the Hopman Cup when he stood in for injured American John Isner and pushed Spaniard Fernando Verdasco before falling 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
He said it had been a huge month in his blossoming career.
“It’s been great; I’ve never gotten this much publicity in my life but I’m getting used to it,” Kokkinakis said.
“I’m trying to keep focused on my matches and not worry about all that stuff.”
Redfoo, from US pop group LMFAO, watched Kokkinakis from the stands as did Australian tennis legends Tony Roche and John Newcombe.
Despite a `diamond’ earring, a pop-star hair-do and celebrity fans he said there’s no chance of getting carried away with his newfound tennis fame.
Kokkinakis got his ear pierced just before his summer hit the headlines.
“My parents weren’t very happy about it but I think they’re getting used to it.
“The diamond’s not real – maybe if I win the senior thing of this.”
In other junior results Danielle Wagland lost 6-1 6-2 to Russian Elizaveta Kulichkova in their second round clash while Omar Jasika ousted Japan’s Naoki Nakagawa 6-3 6-2.
He will meet Kyrgios in an all-Australian third round.
