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Before this week, it's fair to say many Australians had never heard of Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.
But when he stepped on to Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, in matching neon yellow playing glasses and sweatband, his anonymity was, unbeknownst to him at the time, about to be obliterated.
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After eliminating defending champion Novak Djokovic in five sets, Istomin has suddenly become a household name as he prepares to take on Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, his best result at the Australian Open.
Not bad for a guy who in 2001 was so badly injured in a car crash doctors said he'd never play again. After a two-year recovery, he returned to training in 2003.
Zero to hero ... Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin celebrates after defeating Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round of the Australian Open. Photo: AP
Ms Ivanoff, of Elsternwick, said she admires Istomin's persistence and work ethic on the court.
"His determination, the way he plays, the way he holds the serve, the way he behaves on the court, he is not showing off. He's calm and every time he's on the court he knows what his goal is," Ms Ivanoff said.
In demand ... Denis Istomin caused the upset of the tournament, beating defending champion Novak Djokovic in the second round. Photo: Mark Baker
Uzbekistan, which has a population of 32 million, has a thriving tennis scene and has hosted the women's Tashkent Open since 1999.
Istomin, 30, is currently ranked 117 but will edge closer to re-entering the top 100 – he peaked at number 33 in 2012 – after the conclusion of the tournament, even if he's beaten by Dimitrov on Monday.
His previous best Australian Open performance was in 2010 and 2014 when he reached the third round. Istomin is coached by his mother, Klaudiya Istomina.
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