Alex de Minaur dodges boos after weighing into controversy following straight sets win

MELBOURNE: The crown of being his nation's leading tennis hope continues to sit comfortably with Alex de Minaur, who strolled into the third round of the Australian Open with consummate ease on Thursday.

American Tristan Boyer was never expected to seriously trouble the 'Demon' on Rod Laver Arena and the wildcard deserves immense respect for even reaching that stage after a torrid week in which the California wildfires left his family and friends homeless and terrified.

Boyer was out of his depth against the world No.8, who is yet to drop a set in his bid to become the first Aussie man to win his home grand slam since Mark Edmondson's all-time upset in 1976.

Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand with centre court in 4K

De Minaur is a content man off the court, having successfully proposed to fellow tennis star Katie Boulter in December.

But on the court he is hungry and relentless as he tries to defy the knockers who say he doesn't boast the requisite weapons to win a grand slam.

His speed and tenacity will continue to get him out of tight spots but he was also able to show off some party tricks against Boyer, including some wicked drop shots that left Nine's commentary team reaching for superlatives.

LIVE UPDATES: Australian Open 2025, day 5 results and highlights

READ MORE: The secret weapon behind prodigy's 181km/h forehand

READ MORE: Former world No.2 suddenly leaves court in tears

"His drop shot is deadly today," Brenton Speed said.

A third round clash with Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo awaits.

That won't be as easy - the 31st seed has plenty of big scalps on his CV and is well rested after beating compatriot Facundo Diaz Acosta in a 6-2, 1-0 walkover earlier on Thursday.

Should de Minaur keep winning, a likely - and daunting - date with world No.1 Jannik Sinner awaits in the quarter-finals.

But that's a future Demon problem after he unleashed a power-packed forehand winner to end Boyer's day.

"Be ready for a battle," de Minaur told his fans when asked by Nine's John Millman what to expect from a Cerundolo match.

"It will be tough, he is a quality opponent, lots of firepower, great forehand. He has taken some big scalps and hopefully I am not the next one."

De Minaur also offered classy condolences to those affected by the California fires.

"It is something you hate to see, you never want to see. I am sending lots of love all the way there and hopefully these bad times will pass by sooner rather than later," he said.

And then he even flashed a future in politics when asked whether the coffee is better in Melbourne or his home city of Sydney.

"I better keep this amazing crowd on my side," he replied, cleverly dodging Millman's curveball.

"There is no better place for coffee than Australia."

Poland star Iga Swiatek had been lightheartedly booed by Victorians earlier in the day when she declared Sydney's brews to be superior.