James Duckworth has good reason to fancy his chances of stopping underdone former world No.1 Andy Murray in a US Open first-round boilover at Flushing Meadows.
Even Murray has modest hopes for his first grand slam attempt since Wimbledon 2017 following almost a year out of the game to recover from hip surgery.
"Look, if I was ever going to play Murray, this is probably the best time play him," Duckworth told AAP in New York.
"He hasn't played a best-of-five-set match for over a year so I give myself a chance.
"I'm obviously going to have to play well, but I'm definitely a chance.
"Obviously I'm not the favourite going in but I'm going to give it my best shot, take it to him, try to play positive tennis and see how I go."
The Aussie underdog is continuing his own comeback from no less than five operations in 12 months to repair debilitating foot, shoulder and elbow injuries.
But feeling the best he has in two years, Duckworth hopes to go the distance in a bid to wear out the 2012 champion, who will be playing only his eighth match since returning to tennis in June.
"I've played a few five-setters in my time," Duckworth said.
"There's a lot of ebbs and flows throughout the match. You've got to sort of ride them a little bit and just be prepared for anything and to go for potentially a long time.
"I'm looking forward to it. Another big court will be nice."
The match between the 396th-ranked Murray and world No.448 Duckworth, who gained entry on an injury-protected ranking, will be played at the upgraded Louis Armstrong Stadium.
"It's probably a bit slower than the rest of them, which is a bit different. All the other courts are much faster," Duckworth said.
"But at least I got to hit on it. That's just stuff you have to deal with and hopefully we get a packed house."
