Dressed like a local in green and gold at the major where he has enjoyed the most success, free-swinging American Tommy Paul is one win away from breaking into the world's top 10 for the first time.
But to guarantee that he first has to find a way past No.2 seed Alexander Zverev, who has crept under the radar in the opening week of the Australian Open.
They clash in the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Very big things have long been expected of the high-profile Floridian.
But rather than making a huge breakthrough, it's been more of a slow burn for Paul.
The world No.11 has been a fixture in the global top 20 since March 23, hasn't been outside the top 15 since July of that year and is now on the cusp of the top 10.
Paul's career-best grand slam performance came with a run to the semis at the 2023 Australian Open and last year he won titles at the Queen's Club and Stockholm.
"There's a lot more structure in my life," said Paul, when asked to describe the secret behind his new-found consistency.
"I have such a good team around me. I would probably credit most of it to my team.
"Keeping my body healthy is huge throughout the whole year.
"Last year I had one setback with the ankle rolled and we were back on court in two weeks, playing a tournament three weeks later, when that wouldn't be the case before.
"We're just much more on top of things."
After needing five tough sets to get past Australian Chris O'Connell in the opening round, Paul has dropped just one set in his past three matches - the most impressive of which was a 6-1 6-1 6-1 demolition job on Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the fourth round.
Zverev's run to the last eight has been even more straightforward, conceding only one set in four matches.
The consistent Zverev is still searching for that elusive maiden major title.
This will be the 14th time he has contested a grand slam quarter-final, a record which includes losing the finals of the 2020 US Open and last year's French Open.
Paul has beaten Zverev in both of their previous meetings.
"I think he grew a lot as a player, right?" said the 27-year-old German.
"He's close to being top 10 in the world.
"He had some great results at grand slams, Masters events.
"He's a top player now. Very, very different to the last few times I played him."
The winner will play either Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic in the semis on Friday.
12-TOMMY PAUL (USA) leads 2-ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER) 2-0
2022 Indian Wells, hard, R64, Paul 6-2 4-6 7-6 7-2)
2020 Acapulco, hard, R16, Paul 6-3 6-4
