Ajla Tomljanovic is drawing on the stirring memories of her earth-moving victory over Serena Williams as inspiration for what she hopes will spark another deep US Open run.
Tomljanovic ended Williams' glittering career in spectacular fashion en route to the last eight in New York two years ago.
Sadly, though, it has been mostly downhill for the one-time queen of Australian tennis since that dramatic and emotion-charged night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
From three grand slam quarter-final appearances in 13 months, including back-to-back charges at Wimbledon, Tomljanovic has slid from the cusp of a grand slam seeding to a depressing 549th season-ending ranking in December.
The 31-year-old has clawed her way back to No.118 in the world in a promising 2024 comeback from a serious knee injury, the highlight thus far making a fifth WTA final - and first since 2019 - in Birmingham in June.
Now Tomljanovic has returned to Flushing Meadows hoping the vibes of her stunning triumph over Williams can evoke another magical run.
"I've been channeling two years ago a lot just because it's probably the most secure and myself that I've ever felt on court," the Australian No.2 said ahead of her Open opener on Monday against American qualifier Anne Li.
"And I've been watching a few highlights just to remind myself and hoping it will come back to me, of what I felt, what I was thinking about.
"It hasn't happened yet, but the thought is what counts."
Playing on an injury-protected ranking, Tomljanovic wishes she'd won more hard-court matches in the Open lead-up but still believes she can still conjure her best tennis when it matters this coming fortnight.
"Once you're in a slam, it's a lot about your own mentality. You've got to create your own luck and confidence," she said.
"So I'm just working really hard to get in the best frame of mind like before a couple of years ago."
Tomljanovic is among four Australian women in first-day action and, up against the world No.128, far and away the best chance of moving on.
Priscilla Hon has the distinction of being the first of 20 Aussies to hit the court but will have to play the match of her life to compete with world No.2 and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Kim Birrell is taking on Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic, the tournament's 24th seed.
Fellow qualifier Maya Joint, making her US Open main-draw debut at just 18, will fancy her chances of bringing down German veteran Laura Siegemund.
With world No.10 Alex de Minaur not opening his title bid until Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), 28th seed Alexei Popyrin will lead the first-day charge of the Australian men.
Seeded for the first time at a slam and slated to meet defending champion Novak Djokovic in round three, Popyrin starts against Soonwoo Kwon.
Rinky Hijikata, who made an inspired run to the second week last year as a wildcard, plays Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Adam Walton faces Alexandre Muller.
Playing his first competitive outing since withdrawing from the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a hip injury, de Minaur is among another 13 Australians in action on day two.
The 10th seed returns against American Marcos Giron in what is Australia's biggest Open contingent since 1981.
AUSSIES IN FIRST-ROUND ACTION ON DAY ONE OF THE US OPEN IN NEW YORK (TUESDAY AEST):
MEN
28-Alexei Popyrin v Soonwoo Kwon (KOR) Rinky Hijikata v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) Adam Walton v Alexandre Muller (FRA)
WOMEN
Priscilla Hon v 2-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) Kim Birrell v 24-Donna Vekic (CRO) Maya Joint v Laura Siegemund (GER) Alja Tomljanovic v Ann Li (USA)
