Alexei defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4 7-5 on a packed Court 13 at Roland Garros.

“I’m happy I got through in two sets, I think that was really important to conserve some energy if I play tomorrow,” Alexei said.

Alexei didn’t lose a breakpoint during the match and was happy to compete in the hot conditions. 

“I think in some way it was beneficial for me, because the ball was more lively so that kinda helped me on my serve.

“Not facing a breakpoint that just proves the fact that if I served well then it would be in my favour, and it was. I just had to wait for my chances on return. Try and stay calm under the pressure.

"I think the heat can get to you mentally sometimes and I just didn’t let it affect me. I’m used to this heat coming from Australia and living in Dubai. I’ve trained and played in the heat a lot, I kinda like it."

The world No.63 was able to rely on his captain Lleyton Hewitt at pivotal moments throughout the match. 

“It was an amazing crowd, amazing atmosphere. It was really good fun. I was able to stay in my own bubble with my team, with Rusty in my box. I just kept eye contact with Lleyton and that’s all that mattered. 

“He hold me to focus on my game which I did really well I think. Focus on my serve, play my game.

Alexei’s family including his mum, dad, brother, sister, girlfriend and girlfriend’s mum were also on the sidelines supporting. 

“For my parents, growing up, Olympics was a massive, massive thing. I think for them seeing their son play the Olympics is a very special. I remember when I told my Dad that I would be in the Olympics, he teared up. It’s really special to be able to play in front of them.”

Alexei will face 2020 Tokyo gold medallist and No.3 seed Alexander Zverev in the next round.

“He made the finals of the French Open a few months ago. It’s not going to be easy but if I focus on myself and focus on the game that I can play then I can cause damage to these players. I truly believe I can, if I can bring my A game, I can cause some damage.”

The pair last met on hard court in Acapulco in 2019, where Zverev won.

In the men’s doubles, world No.3 Matt Ebden and John Peers have advanced to the quarterfinals. 

The pair defeated current world No.1 doubles player Marcel Granollers and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 6-2 7-5. The Spanish duo defeated the No.1 seeds, Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the first round. 

“It was a super tough match. The Spanish boys, they had a big win first round, they’re also one of the better pairs going around, especially on a clay court,” Ebden said. 

“We had to play really, really good, close to perfect and we did. We played close to a perfect match. Only one or two balls in the whole match we missed. That’s what it took and I’m glad we produced it at the right time.”

“We both backed each other’s game style today,” Peers said. 

“We kept building, we have played the last few tournaments together and today showed, we are still building, we’re still going.”

In the women’s doubles, Ajla Tomljanovic and Olivia Gadecki forced their match against Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider (AIN) into a deciding super tiebreaker before falling 6-3 2-6 [10-6].