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Jordan Thompson is the first Australian to reach the third round of the US Open in New York after outclassing Belarusian Egor Gerasimov in four sets.
The second week of a grand slam beckons but Jordan Thompson is staying cool after marching into the US Open third round for the first time.
The Australian Davis Cup star overcame a third-set blip to beat Belarusian Egor Gerasimov 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3 on Thursday to equal his foray to the round of 32 at last year's French Open.
The 26-year-old Sydneysider next plays Kazakhstan's world No.90 Mikhail Kukushkin with a golden opportunity to reach last 16 in New York.
"Another opportunity, that's for sure," Thompson said.
"But I've just got to look at it as another match and take it point by point."
An ankle injury forced Thompson to quit in the third set of his only previous encounter with Kukushkin, at Indian Wells in 2017.
But Australian teammate Nick Kyrgios can attest to the Kazakh's class and pluck, having been driven mad by Kukushkin in a demoralising Davis Cup defeat in Darwin five years ago.
"I was watching a little bit of him today. He's a quality player," Thompson said.
"He's been around for a long time. He's got really good feel, great groundstrokes. He's just really solid.
"So it's going to be a battle."
Kukushkin upset Chilean 13th seed Christian Garin 6-2 6-1 3-6 6-4 7-5 in an epic five-setter lasting two minutes shy of four hours.
Thompson's victory was much more comfortable, with Australia's world No.63 most impressive on serve against Gerasimov.
He fired down eight aces, didn't double-fault once and was broken only twice in two-and-three-quarter hours.
Thompson's aggressive returning also constantly had the tall Belarusian under pressure.
He converted five of 14 break-point chances of his own while offsetting 29 unforced errors with 29 clean winners.
Gerasimov couldn't keep pace from the back either, ultimately paying the price for 51 unforced errors trying to go with Thompson, who is guaranteed a $A232,000 pay cheque for his breakout effort at Flushing Meadows.
He will pocket a minimum $A340,000 if he beats Kukushkin to set up a potential second-week blockbuster with Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Thompson was the only Australian in action on day three, with Alex de Minaur, John Millman and his Sydney hitting partner Chris O'Connell all playing second-round matches on Friday.
HOW THE AUSSIES FARED ON DAY THREE OF THE US OPEN IN NEW YORK (PREFIX DENOTES SEEDING)
Men's singles, second round
Jordan Thompson bt Egor Gerasimov (BLR) 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3
