John Millman feels like he is finally on the cusp of realising his potential and is ready to prove it in his second-round Brisbane International clash with top seed Grigor Dimitrov.
The hometown favourite opened his 2018 campaign with a straight sets win over Canadian qualifier Peter Polansky on Tuesday night, prevailing 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 at Pat Rafter Arena.
It sets up a tough meeting with world No.3 Dimitrov on Thursday but if there is a good time to meet the tournament's top seed, it's in the first week of the season when players are still blowing out their off-season cobwebs.
Millman also boasts a winning record against the Bulgarian, having beaten him 6-3 6-4 in the one and only time they have met - in the qualifying rounds of an ATP Challenger event in Nottingham back in 2010.
While their careers went down divergent paths - with Millman currently ranked No.128 in the world after a horrific, injury-racked season last year brought him down from his high of No.60 - the Queenslander is rightfully optimistic about his chances.
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Millman, 28, has built nicely since recovering from groin surgery, having reached the third round of the US Open before making a sterling Davis Cup debut in the World Group semi-final against Belgium.
"I'm really hopeful," Millman said.
"I'm really proud of the efforts in what I've made of the last 12 months but the big thing is, I'm just familiar and comfortable at this level now.
"I definitely feel as if I've positioned myself well to give it a really good crack with no points to defend for the first six months.
"It all starts now - this is when all the momentum builds and hopefully I can kick those goals sooner rather than later, and then just build that momentum up to some of those big tournaments this year."
Defending Brisbane International champion Dimitrov rose from No.17 in the world to third in 2017 after winning the season-ending ATP Finals.
"He'll be pretty nervous, I imagine," Millman joked.
Millman's victory over Polansky at least salvaged some Australian pride after Ajla Tomljanovic's 4-6 6-1 6-4 defeat to Brit Johanna Konta earlier on Tuesday night.
It means there are no local women left in the singles draw but Croatian-born Tomljanovic was proud of her persistence after playing through a right adductor problem.
"I've got nothing to be sad about," she said.
"I'm just pleased with where my game is going. Just hopefully I stay as healthy as possible."
