Alexei Popyrin is vowing to "stay in the moment" as he strives to parlay his rich form into an audacious US Open title triumph.
As speed demon Alex de Minaur cools his jets, Popyrin spearheads a seven-strong Australian challenge on the opening day of the season's final grand slam in New York.
Seeded for the first time at a slam, the world No.28 opens his campaign against Soonwoo Kwon on Monday (Tuesday AEST), a fortnight after becoming the first Australian in 21 years to snare a prestigious ATP 1000 crown.