'The real deal': Aussie teenager matches career-best feat

Australian Alexei Popyrin is through to the quarter-finals of the Atlanta Open, equalling a career-best feat to continue his rise on the ATP tour.

The 19-year-old took one hour and 26 minutes to defeat French fourth seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-5 6-3 in the second round on Wednesday local time.

He will now make his first appearance in an ATP quarter-final after his fourth win over a player ranked inside the world’s top 50.

Popyrin’s second win at the tournament matched his previous best result in a tour-level main draw, having made it to the third round of the Australian Open in January.

The world No.95 will next face Cameron Norrie, and a win over the Briton could see the Aussie jump 15 places in the rankings.

Popyrin has already secured his place in the US Open main draw following his rise into the world’s top 100 after Wimbledon.

It will be this first direct entry into a grand slam after three wildcards and one appearance as a qualifier.

Norrie, his next opponent, defeated South Korea's Soonwoo Kwon 6-3 6-4 in the second round.

Meanwhile, Australians Matthew Ebden and Bernard Tomic will face off against each other on Thursday for a chance to join Popyrin in the last eight.

The winner could then be set for a battle with another compatriot if 20-year-old Alex de Minaur defeats American Bradley Klahn in the second round.

with AAP