Totally dialled in, Alex de Minaur is refusing to look beyond the third round as the nation's great hope braces for his first seeded test of the Australian Open.
De Minaur takes on world No.31 Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday having yet to a drop a set in his opening two matches against Dutch dangerman Botic van de Zandschulp and American qualifier Tristan Boyer.
But the eighth seed isn't getting carried away, knowing Cerundolo packs a real punch, as evident in top-10 wins over Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev in a breakout 2024 season.
Once a top-20 player, the Argentine stands behind de Minaur and a place in the second week at Melbourne Park for a fourth straight year.
"He's a very dangerous player, very tricky. He's got a lot firepower from the baseline with that forehand," de Minaur said.
"He's had some big scalps on tour. He's not afraid to play some big matches.
"It's going to be a battle. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a really tough one.
"I've got to be up for it from the very first point, bring that intensity, play some aggressive style of tennis, bring out a better version of myself, which I think I'm doing every day."
Victory over Cerundolo would vault de Minaur into a last-16 showdown with either Russian world No.19 Karen Khachanov, a two-time grand slam semi-finalist, or unseeded American Alex Michelsen on Monday.
Despite making four grand slam quarter-finals elsewhere, the 25-year-old has never ventured beyond the fourth round of his home slam.
He has spent four hours 21 minutes on court this campaign, dropping only 19 games in six sets, and knows the key is trying to reach the business week feeling as fresh as possible.
"For me now, I've been in this position. I know what I need to do," de Minaur said.
"I know that the early rounds, it's all about getting through, no matter how. Whether it's pretty, whether it's not. Whether you're playing amazing tennis or can't find the court.
"Ultimately the only thing that counts is getting over the line and winning that last point,.
"If you can do your best to conserve energy and not play long matches, then that's going to be very nice to you and your body as the tournament goes along."
AUSSIES IN ACTION DAY SEVEN OF AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN ON SATURDAY (Prefix number denotes seeding):-
8-Alex de Minaur v 31-Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)
