A year after withdrawing from the Australian Open in tears, local hope Ajla Tomljanovic will kick off her 2024 campaign with a point to prove.
Last year, Tomljanovic was in line for a precious first-time grand slam seeding at her home major until a knee injury forced her to withdraw from the season-opening United Cup.
As a result, the 30-year-old dropped two places in the rankings, landing at No.35.
The three-time grand slam quarter-finalist copped a horror draw but instead had to pull out with the knee injury that ruined most of her 2023 and led to her ranking slipping outside the world's top 200.
On the comeback trail, the Croatian-born star said she was feeling well-prepared to face former world No.14 Petra Martic on Tuesday night.
"I'm always dangerous in these stages of the tournament," Tomljanovic said ahead of her opener.
"I still feel like people don't want to play me, especially in the early rounds."
Martic boasts a 2-1 tour record over Tomljanovic but lost their most recent contest in the second round at Flushing Meadows in 2021.
"I haven't played her in a while," Tomljanovic said of the world No.40.
"I feel like I know her game quite well, and she knows mine. We kind of grew up together actually. She used to play with my sister. So we go way back.
"I'm not thinking much about anything other than myself. I have things I want to execute going into the first round. (Doesn't) really matter who's on the other side."
Tomljanovic is one of six Australians in first-round action on day three at Melbourne Park.
She could set up an all-Australian second-round affair with Kim Birrell, who will be up against the odds in her clash with Latvian 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Other locals hoping to make the second round are Thanasi Kokkinakis, Max Purcell, James McCabe and Olivia Gadecki.
Women's world No.1 Iga Swiatek also laynches her title bid on Tuesday, up against 2020 Open champion Sofia Kenin.
The Open has moved to a 15-day tournament schedule this year, spreading out the first round over three days in a bid to reduce the likelihood of late-night finishes.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY THREE OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN ON TUESDAY (PREFIX DENOTES SEEDING):
Men's singles, first round
Thanasi Kokkinakis v Sebastian Ofner (AUT)
Max Purcell v Mate Valkusz (HUN)
James McCabe v Alex Michelsen (USA)
Women's singles, first round
Olivia Gadecki v Sloane Stephens (USA)
Ajla Tomljanovic v Petric Martic (CRO)
Kim Birrell v 11-Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
