Alex de Minaur has ticked off another significant career milestone after reaching the year-ending ATP Finals for a second straight year.
The only issue is, the Aussie didn't know it.
De Minaur, 26, beat Karen Kachanov in straight sets to cruise into the quarter-finals at the Paris Masters event on Friday (AEDT).
Currently an equal career-best No.6 in the rankings, the Demon had been trying not to think too much about locking in his place in the season finale in Turin, Italy.
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“That’s actually confirmed? It is? Geez, that feels amazing,” De Minaur said in a post-match interview.
“I mean, there’s a lot of stress going on the last couple of weeks. You just made my day a whole lot better.
“I did my best not to keep an eye out on the race, but it was too hard. You don’t want to add extra elements to your head.
“I mean, there’s a feeling in the back of your mind, you kind of know where everyone’s at.
"But I didn’t know that with the win today I was actually qualified. So, I’m extremely stoked.”
De Minaur is now a confirmed starter in a hot field for the event, joining Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz.
There are two players fighting out for the eighth and final spot, with Lorenzo Musetti currently holding the place ahead of Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is also in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
On his ATP Finals debut last year, a physically struggling De Minaur lost in straight sets to Sinner and Daniil Medvedev before a tough three-set loss to American Fritz.
The New South Welshman is planning to make a much bigger impact this time around.
“100 per cent it’s a different feeling,” he said.
“I’m feeling physically great, which is already a much better version of myself than last year, and I’m extremely stoked with my level.
“I’m looking forward not just to make up the numbers this time and hopefully be able to do some damage over there.”