Alex de Minaur had just one destination immediately after his milestone third-round win at Roland Garros - to run and give a hug to the young fan at courtside he swore had given him life during his most trying of French Open battles.
Under the cosh against big-hitting Jan-Lennard Struff in a wretched cold, rain-interrupted duel that dragged on-and-off for over eight hours, de Minaur reckoned the sight of the kid who braved the elements and never stopped cheering for him all day was what kept him going.
And he was so impressed by his new No.1 fan that de Minaur, who gave his cheerleader a souvenir towel after his 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory, later put out a plea on social media to find out the name of his young saviour so he could thank him properly.
