Defending AO wheelchair singles champion Alfie Hewett came out on top in his quarterfinal showdown with fellow Brit Gordon Reid, 6-2 6-3, at Margaret Court Arena on Thursday.
As well as being cross-net rivals, the pair play doubles together and Hewett was surprised to learn he had beaten Reid in the past 20 consecutive matches.
“We train a lot together, so I'm fully aware of his strengths and it surprises me, if I'm being honest, that I've got that record because I think he's a very talented tennis player,” Hewett said.
Returning to the Australian Open as the No.1 seed as well as defending champion could bring with it an immense amount of pressure, but Hewett chooses to see the tournament with a fresh perspective.
“I don't really look back on what happened a year ago and bring that into today because I think so much has changed even in a short space of time,” he said.
“Of course, I try and take confidence from previous experiences, knowing that I can do it and I can get over the line, especially against the players that I have [won] against in previous years.
“But just to be back here it's like another opportunity to make some more memories, and try and leave Australia as, you know, a happy man.
“It is such a great place to come … first big tournament of the year. It's something that I look forward to from the back end of, like, November when the preseason starts.
“It's sort of like all eyes on this event and obviously it's a long way from home, so it feels like a long trip.
“But, you know, the tournament does such a great job of making the players feel welcome."
All eyes on top seeds' rivalry
Hewett and Tokito Oda have been trading places for the top ITF singles ranking, with the latter currently sitting in the No.1 spot.
“We've had a lot of gruelling battles in big finals against each other,” Hewett said. “Yeah, there's a rivalry there.”
The Japanese player also swept through his quarterfinal match against Tom Egberink on KIA Arena on Thursday, securing his ticket to the semifinals in straight sets, 6-4 6-4.
Asked about the rivalry, Oda was more focused on his fond memories of practising with Hewett in the past.
“Three years [ago], when I first met [Hewett] when I was 20 or something, and he asked me to practice together,” Oda said. “And I practice with him when I was like, so [young]. And that was so much fun.
“Yeah, I really enjoy to play [him] every time, you know, every time [we play it’s] like different.”
Oda's quarterfinal match against Egberink was a great example of why he hovers around that top-ranked spot, ending the match with 63 per cent of his first serve points won, and playing an aggressive game with 33 winners to Egberink’s 23.
Last season was a stellar one for the 19-year-old, who added a further seven titles to his total of 38, including the US Open and Roland Garros.
His tactic? Overwhelmingly simple, yet clearly effective.
“I just go for it,” he said. “For all the matches, and the singles and doubles as well. So yeah, just win all matches.”
Six more complete semifinal draw
Argentinian Gustavo Fernandez defeated Sergei Lysov 6-1 6-2, while Spain's Martin De la Puente swept aside Stephane Houdet, 6-3 6-2.
Also continuing through to the women’s wheelchair singles semifinal is defending Australian Open champion Yui Kamiji, who dominated Lizzy de Greef, 6-1 6-2.
Diede De Groot from the Netherlands swiftly followed suit, booking herself a semifinal berth after defeating compatriot Aniek Van Koot in straight sets, 6-2 6-2.
Ziying Wang advanced with a 6-4 6-4 win over Kgothatso Montjane, while her fellow Chinese countrywoman Xiaohui Li made it into the semifinals with a win over Japan’s Momoko Ohtani.