Alex de Minaur craves a breakout grand slam semi-final - or more - after joining rarefied air with yet another charge to the US Open second week in New York.
De Minaur wore down wounded German Daniel Altmaier with signature efficiency to join tennis heavyweights Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the only players to reach the last 16 at eight of the past nine grand slams.
Australia's last player standing once more, de Minaur recovered from a set down to progress after Altmaier retired injured when the Demon was leading 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-4 2-0 on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
