Chris O'Connell is the sixth home hope through to the Australian Open second round after winning his maiden main-draw match at Melbourne Park.
The 26-year-old took full advantage of his wildcard entry to upset big-hitting world No.37 Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 on Tuesday.
Struff had taken down former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic while helping Germany to the semi-finals of last week's ATP Cup.
But he couldn't keep pace with O'Connell, whose grand slam stocks continue to grow.
Two years after washing boasts on Pittwater Harbour to make ends meet, the Sydneysider is emerging as an exciting late bloomer in Australian tennis.
He pushed now world No.7 Andrey Rublev to four sets in the first round last year at Melbourne Park, before claiming his first win at a major at the 2020 US Open in New York.
His breakthrough victory at his home slam guarantees O'Connell a minimum $150,000 pay day and a second-round shot at either 12th seed Roberto Bautista-Agut or Radu Albot on Thursday.
He joins fellow Australians Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic, Alex Bolt, James Duckworth and Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round.
