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Aussie young gun scores stunning upset victory

Australian wildcard entry Alex De Minaur has defeated Austrian journeyman Gerald Melzer 5-7 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 to progress to the second round of the Australian Open.

The 17-year-old played beyond his years to defeat the world No.84 in three hours and 43 minutes on show court three.

De Minaur played off the excited crowd to come from behind against the more experienced Melzer.

The win will lift De Minaur's ranking almost 50 places and double his career prize money to date.

"Unbelievable experience, definitely the pinnacle of my career right here," he told Seven after the win.

Alex De Minaur fed off the crowd to win his first match at a major. Pic: Getty

"I'm lost for words. The atmosphere was unbelievable, I've never felt this before. I couldn't be happier."

The five-setter was the first of De Minaur's career, with the youngster saying he needed to pull himself out of a hole.

MORE: Who is Alex De Minaur?

MORE: 'He reminds me of a young Lleyton Hewitt'

"Lots of ups and downs even though you're trying to keep your energy, you just drop without even knowing," he said.

"I thought that fourth set, the momentum change was huge and then I played with a little bit of adrenaline even though I wasn't that well physically."

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