Whenever the topic of the next female tennis player most likely to break through for a maiden major success crops up, the names of Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova figure prominently.
Both have reached the big dance before only to come up just short - world No.1 Halep at the 2014 and 2017 French Opens and Czech No.6 seed Pliskova at the 2016 US Open.
Halep holds the edge in total quarter- and semi-final grand slam appearances, but it was Pliskova who went at least as far as the last eight in three of the four majors last year.
Halep is 26 and Pliskova is 25 - smack-bang in the middle of what should be the prime years of their careers.
But in an Australian Open thrown wide-open by the absence of new mother Serena Williams, only one of the pair will be left standing after they clash in the quarters at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.
Halep has won five of their previous six career meetings, including a tight three-set triumph in the semis last year at Roland Garros.
But the aggressive Pliskova has pledged to hold nothing back after overcoming a tough challenge from fellow Czech Barbora Strycova which ended in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"I think there is always a chance to beat (Halep)," said Pliskova.
"It's going to be about me.
"I have to play well to win and I will do anything for that.
"I have to serve well.
"She has I wouldn't say a dangerous game, but if I don't play well I don't
have the chance to win against her.
"I have to have some winners, some aces against her - I have to get my mindset ready for this."
Halep has had a drama-packed time in Melbourne, suffering yet another ankle injury in her opening-round win over Australian teen Destanee Aiava and then being pushed to 15-13 in the deciding set of a marathon third-round encounter against American Lauren Davis.
"Acutally I didn't expect to (reach) the quarter-finals, but I also didn't expect to stop the tournament even if I was injured," she said.
"I had nothing clear in my head - I just went on court to take it match by match.
"The match against Davis was huge for me, it maybe gave me a little bit more confidence that my body is OK and I can resist in the tough matches."
"Now I'm more confident."
