Ashleigh Barty dreams of free-rolling all the way to US Open glory after smashing her third-round hoodoo to storm into the last 16 in New York.
Barty ended the run of giant-killing Czech qualifier Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-4 to reach the second week of a grand slam for the first time.
"It's really cool," the Queenslander said, having fallen in the third round in four of her past seven grand slam appearances.
"I felt like we haven't been far off a few times now but, to finally get there, it's pretty cool."
Beaten only twice in 11 matches during the American hardcourt swing, both times to world No.1 Simona Halep, the 18th seed has emerged as Australia's best title hope since Samantha Stosur reigned at Flushing Meadows in 2011.
With seven different women winning the past seven majors, including surprise first-time champions Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens, the super talent senses a big opportunity in the Big Apple.
"I hope it's me that's next," Barty said.
"But you have to go one match at a time to get stuck into the tournament and to get into the second week is a big move, sort of a big hurdle, but there's a very long way to go.
"Hopefully it's nice for my team and my family and everyone who's with me. We can kind of enjoy everything from now.
"It's a bit of a bonus from here on."
The 22-year-old former Wimbledon junior champion next faces eighth-seeded 2016 finalist Karolina Pliskova after the Czech beat teenage prodigy Sofia Kenin 6-4 7-6 (7-2).
Barty leads Pliskova 2-1 head-to-head.
Yet to drop a set this week and having faced just eight break points all tournament, Barty was again super impressive on Friday night.
Muchova had taken out former world No.1 and dual grand slam champion Garbine Muguruza in round two but had no answer to Barty's variety and power.
Riding her booming serve, Barty dictated from the get-go, breaking the world No.202 in the second game and charging to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and 4-0 in the second.
The qualifier briefly threatened a fightback after drawing back to 4-5 in the second set but Barty stayed cool and closed out the contest on her fourth match point after one hour, 25 minutes.
"I actually felt like it was really high quality tennis and I have no idea how she's ranked 200th in the world," Barty said.
"She's so much better than that."
HOW THE AUSSIES FARED ON DAY FIVE OF THE US OPEN (PREFIX DENOTES SEEDING):
18-Ashleigh Barty bt Karolina Muchova (CZE) 6-3 6-4
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