Happy Valley VIC 3549, Australia, 8 January 2015 | David Packman

Qualifier Andrew Harris continued his outstanding run on Thursday, making the quarterfinals at The City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2015 after defeating Estonian Jurgen Zopp in straight sets, 7-5 6-3.

Competing in his first ever Challenger main draw this week, the 20-year-old Victorian – who will continue to attend college in Oklahoma this year – has gone from strength to strength.

“I’m playing better each match,” Harris said. “Just coming out from the first ball attacking and putting pressure on my opponent.

“When I have that mindset I play my best tennis.”

“I’ve had some of my best wins here now,” he added. “I’m gaining a lot of confidence from it.”

On Wednesday, wildcard Alex Bolt moved into the quarterfinals after coming back from one set down to upset seventh seed Marton Fucsovics 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1.

Bolt – the local favourite – said he was happy with the strength he showed throughout the match. “I toughed it out today and managed to come away with the win,” he said, adding that he was quite happy to get one back after losing to the Hungarian in their previous encounter.

“Physically, I was able to get on top of him in the second set and just go on with it from there,” the 22-year-old said.

The turning point came midway through the set when Bolt was able to hang on to his serve after going down 0-40.

“Things started to go in my favour after that,” he said. “I was happy with the way I finished it off.”

Bolt was full of praise for the local support he is receiving this week, saying it is a big advantage.

“I think it’s a big settler,” he said. “I love playing in front of friends and family.”

Bolt will now face fourth seed and former world No.12, Paul-Henri Mathieu after the Frenchman took care of Italian Matteo Viola in straight sets, 6-1 6-3.

Belgian qualifier Maxime Authom also reached the quarterfinals after defeating Brit Liam Broady 6-2 6-4 while top seed Blaz Rola was bundled out by hard-working American Ryan Harrison 1-6 6-1 7-5.

In second round results on Thursday, second seed Marcos Baghdatis overcame Victorian qualifier Andrew Whittington 7-5 6-3, third seed Andrey Kuznetzov defeated Wayne Odesnik 6-1 6-4 and fifth seed Alexandr Nedovyesov beat German Tim Puetz in a deciding tiebreaker 6-2 4-6 7-6(6).