Alex de Minaur's heartwarming act with superfan as he reaches last 16 of French Open: 'I need you for next round'

Alex de Minaur had just one destination immediately after his milestone third-round win at Roland Garros - to run and give a hug to the young fan at courtside he swore had given him life during his most trying of French Open battles.

Under the cosh against big-hitting Jan-Lennard Struff in a wretched cold, rain-interrupted duel that dragged on-and-off for over eight hours, de Minaur reckoned the sight of the kid who braved the elements and never stopped cheering for him all day was what kept him going.

And he was so impressed by his new No.1 fan that de Minaur, who gave his cheerleader a souvenir towel after his 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory, later put out a plea on social media to find out the name of his young saviour so he could thank him properly.

'I need to find the name of this legend!!! Message me on instagram, I need you for the next round,' wrote de Minaur, after Roland Garros had posted film of the youngster supporting him on Court 14.

 'That young lad was there from the very first point 'til the last with five hours of rain delay,' de Minaur told reporters.

'He was this little kid that at every single change of ends, every single point I won, he was screaming at my face.

'I'm looking at him and thinking if I was a fan, I would probably be back home, because it was bloody cold out there!

'I don't understand what this kid is doing, but, oh, he gave me life.

'Every single change of ends I'm looking at him, locking eyes with him.

'And at the end I just gave him a hug. I was, like, mate... it was a relief more than anything.

'It was amazing. I appreciate this kid, the fact that he's spent 10 hours at the court today in the freezing cold pumping me up. I was happy that I was able to get a win together with him.'

Asked what prize he had given the lad, de Minaur sounded almost embarrassed.

'Gave him a towel. Actually, I would have given him everything in my bag. I mean, I just wasn't thinking straight with the emotions, but he deserved everything!'