Big-hitting Australian No.2 Alexei Popyrin isn't daunted by the prospect of a potential Melbourne Park second-round clash with Novak Djokovic.
First, having overcome a troublesome glute injury, Popyrin has his sights set on beating a good friend.
Thursday's Australian Open draw delivered Popyrin a first-round clash with fellow local Marc Polmans, with the winner due to face Djokovic, who takes on a qualifier or lucky loser first-up.
Popyrin, 24, has only played Djokovic once, in a straight-sets loss in Tokyo in 2019, but has previously hit with him in Melbourne and knows what to expect from the world No.1.
After brilliantly besting eighth seed Taylor Fritz in a five-set marathon last year, world No.43 Popyrin backs himself to take on anyone, especially with the Melbourne crowd behind him.
"I'm just taking it one match at a time now, but if you want me to think ahead, look, it's going to be great," Popyrin said.
"He (Djokovic) has got to win his first round too,'' he added with a laugh.
"Once you get past that first match, then you can start thinking about it.
"I've always had that kind of confidence that I've got a level to cause trouble to a lot of the top guys.
"It's going to be an interesting match if I can get there."
Popyrin was bothered by his left glute at the Brisbane International, then pulled out of the Adelaide tournament, but insisted it wouldn't affect his Open campaign.
"Today was my first day back on court since and, yeah, the glute feels as good as normal," he said.
"So yeah, we're gonna up the intensity the next couple of days and then we'll be ready for the start of the tournament for sure."
First he has his sights set on a match-up with 2023 doubles partner Polmans, who is a singles wildcard.
"Marcy is a really tough player to play," Popyrin said.
"We came up the junior ranks (together) and I know him, he's a good friend.
"It's always tough to play a friend and a fellow Aussie.
"We'll crack a few jokes when we see each other. It's not radio silence. We're used to playing each other, us Aussies. We get along.
"When match day comes we're enemies, but after that we're friends again."
