Teen sensation Alex De Minaur is within touching distance of a maiden ATP title after sweeping into the final of the Sydney International.

De Minaur surged from a set down to outrally and ultimately outdo world No.42 Frenchman Benoit Paire 4-6 6-1 6-1 in Friday night’s semi-final.

His sixth-straight top-50 scalp seals his place in Saturday’s tournament decider against Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev, after last week’s breakthrough Brisbane International semi-final appearance.

The 18-year-old is Sydney’s youngest finalist since Lleyton Hewitt won in 2000 at the same age, and this latest display showcased a prodigious tenacity and persistence not unlike that of his mentor.

Hewitt observed from the stands of a packed-out Ken Rosewall Arena, while Tomas Berdych no doubt will have watched his first-round Australian Open opponent with intrigue from Melbourne.

De Minaur was nimble and creative and pulled off some spectacular shots, attacking Paire’s forehand in a bid to frustrate.

Amid a slew of long rallies, the pair held serve until 4-4 but de Minaur was the first to crack, going a break down after an error-ridden game before conceding the opening set.

The local returned with a vengeance in the second, breaking Paire to love to take a 3-1 lead and, for good measure, taking the next game to love too.

As de Minaur’s grip tightened on the match, Paire’s mental grasp slackened and the unforced errors piled up.

De Minaur was lucky with a net cord to break again and serve out the second set.

In the third, he was made to endure six deuces to hold one particularly gruelling service game but still won 11 of the last 12 games and, after being denied two match points, converted the third.

Earlier, Medvedev booked his spot in the final after upsetting fourth seed Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-4 6-1.

The 84th-ranked Medvedev came back from a set down on Friday to move within one win of what would also be his first ATP title.