Player of the day: De Minaur charges into last eight

In 2018 Alex de Minaur reached the third round of the US Open, in 2019 he took it a step further by landing a spot in the last 16. This year, he's into the quarterfinals after taking out Vasek Pospisil 7-6 (6) 6-3,6-2. De Minaur is still only 21 years old and he's getting better with time and experience.

The Aussie admitted he didn't have confidence going into his first match back at the Western & Open after the six-month tour hiatus. He would fall short in the opening match to world No. 34 Jan Lennard-Struff 6-2, 6-4.

Now in the US Open's second week, De Minaur turned the cards around by believing in his game and it's showing.

"At the end of the day, this is where I want to be, and this is where I truly believe I belong, second weeks of slams and going deep," he told press. "I'm happy I'm finally at this stage."

Although De Minaur didn't get much of a warm up on the singles court, he made up for it in doubles at the Western & Southern Open, and that gave him added confidence. He and his partner Pablo Carreno Busta captured the title, defeating veterans Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski in the final.

Fast Facts:

4

Set points he saved against Pospisil.

18

His highest ranking which was obtained last season.

'15

The year turned pro.

"Nothing changes. Everything stays the same," he said about his quarterfinal debut. "Now I've got just another match awaiting for me."

Next up for de Minaur is world No. 3 Dominic Thiem, who easily dismissed Felix Auger-Aliassime. He has yet to defeat the Austrian and holds a 0-2 record against Thiem on hard courts.