Alexei Popyrin has placed Novak Djokovic on notice despite candidly confessing to being no fan of playing the super Serb.
Except on tennis's biggest stages.
The pair's third-round US Open showdown has been scheduled for Friday night (Saturday AEST) on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Djokovic standing in the way of Popyrin and a place in the second week of a grand slam for a first time.
Having come off second best to Djokovic twice already this year at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Popyrin is aware of the magnitude of the task at hand.
But Australia's freshly crowned Montreal Masters champ is embracing the challenge.
"I don't think anybody enjoys playing him," Popyrin said.
"I enjoy the moment. I enjoy playing on a big courts.
"But yeah, he's obviously the greatest of all time and a really tough opponent.
"We'll see how it goes."
Popyrin firmly believes he could have beaten Djokovic at Melbourne Park had he converted either of two set points to go up two sets to one.
The 25-year-old didn't feel as comfortable in a four-set loss on grass at the All England Club seven weeks ago.
"He served particularly well at Wimbledon," Popyrin said.
"I didn't have many chances to break and he mixed up his serves really well.
"At the AO, I had two or three set points at 5-4 to go two sets to one up.
"So that one was probably the closest and the one that hurt more.
"I was disappointed after Wimbledon obviously because I felt like I was in the match and I could kind of get my chances and win there.
"But it didn't happen. He played the bigger points better."
The difference between Wimbledon and this US Open - and Djokovic knows it - is that the 24-times grand slam champion's serving was "awful" in his shortened second-round win over countryman Laslo Djere.
After taking a month off between winning an elusive Olympic gold medal in Paris and arriving in New York eyeing an unprecedented 25th slam, Djokovic coughed up eight double faults before Djere quit with an abdominal strain early in the third set.
"I am happy with the way I am playing from the back of the court but I still have to serve better, much better in order to have a chance to go deep in the tournament," the second seed said.
"It's only going to get far tougher from here. I've got Alex Popyrin, who has been playing some great tennis in the last couple of weeks, so I am definitely going to have to play much better and step it up."
The winner will face the victor of the all-American clash between 13th seed Ben Shelton and 20th seed Frances Tiafoe.
AUSSIE IN ACTION ON DAY FIVE OF THE US OPEN
Men's singles, third round, 9am AEST
28-Alexei Popyrin v 2-Novak Djokovic (SRB)
