Tennis greats John Newcombe and Pat Rafter are backing seeded home hope Alex de Minaur to make an inspired Australian Open run at Melbourne Park.

It was Newcombe’s home tournament, and for him, the No. 1-ranked Connors was the draw. Then the Australian won.

Heavy rain forced the suspension of matches on outside courts Sunday about an hour into the first day of the Australian Open. Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion and runner-up here last year, was able to continue playing 20-year-old qualifier Anca Todoni on Rod Laver Arena,

Pat Rafter reckons Alex de Minaur's time starts now as Australian tennis greats back the great home hope to make his deepest Melbourne Park run yet.