As one cult hero exited the Australian Open, a new one was born.

Last year's men's singles finalist Marcos Baghdatis was brought undone by unseeded Frenchman Gael Monfils, the 11th seed having no answer to the 20-year-old's combination of raw enthusiasm and athleticism in a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 2-6 6-0 second round triumph.

Looking like Jimi Hendrix's love child and boasting a cross-court slide the late, great James Brown would have been proud of, Monfils - ranked 46 in the world - turned instant rock star at Rod Laver Arena.

This was a performance as much circus act as high-quality tennis.

Contortionist skills, unorthodox trick shots and a level of derring-do managed to swing a crowd Baghdatis had called his own on his irresistible run to last year's final.

A junior Australian Open winner in 2004, Monfils broke Baghdatis in just the third game to set the tone for a series of unbelievable shots to follow, wiping the floor with his higher-ranked rival in the opening two sets.

Forehands and backhands of 190km/h with splayed legs and cross-court slides on virtually every second point were followed by a display of youthful bravado which paid off big-time - a second serve ace at 5-5 in the tie-break.

Monfils grew in confidence throughout the second set, powering to an early 3-0 lead and sealing the set with a trademark scorching forehand.

Baghdatis fought back to win the third set, lifting his game out of the doldrums as Monfils appeared to be hampered by a foot strapping problem which saw him virtually gift the final points of the set to his rival.

But the game swung back Monfils' way once he called the trainer out at the end of the set to deal with his troublesome feet.

The Cypriot's game inexplicably appeared to fall apart entirely, as Monfils toyed with Baghdatis in the fourth set to win it to love.

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