Local wildcard Omar Jasika says he will look to stick it to world No.21 David Ferrer when they face off in the first round of the Australian Open.
Jasika, the 2014 US Open boys' singles champion, couldn't have asked for a more-difficult opponent to face first up at Melbourne Park.
Ferrer is widely considered one of the greatest players never to have won a grand slam, having finished runner-up to claycourt superstar Rafael Nadal at the 2013 French Open.
The Spaniard has twice made the Australian Open semi-finals, and 19-year-old Jasika is well aware of Ferrer's ability to run opponents off their feet with his speed and agility.
"I've seen him play a lot of times before and I've got to get my running shoes on, for sure, with that match," Jasika told AAP.
"He's definitely an all-court player. He doesn't give up, that's for sure. He's going to try and take my legs out - I'm sure that (attempt) is going to happen.
"I'm just going to give it my best. I think I'm playing good tennis at the moment. I'm happy with my body and, hopefully, I can stick it to him."
Jasika defeated Queenslander John-Patrick Smith in last month's wildcard playoffs to secure his spot at this year's Open.
The Melbourne native made it through to the second round in his Open debut last year before being eliminated by French world No.12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
"I've been working a lot with my fitness trainer on my body," Jasika said.
"I'm getting stronger, definitely fitter, mentally wiser as well, so I think my body is ready for this year's Australian Open."
Jasika is certain to be buoyed by 'Omar's Army', his fan club who had provided vocal support throughout the playoffs.
Fellow Aussie wildcard Christopher O'Connell is also facing a tough first round after being drawn to play Grigor Dimitrov in his Open debut.
The Bulgarian world No.15 is in hot form, dispatching Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic on his way to winning last week's Brisbane International.
"I probably wouldn't have liked to have drawn Dimitrov but it's going to be a good opportunity for me and great experience," O'Connell said.
"He's been playing some top tennis, won Brisbane and played phenomenal up there. It's going to be a tough ask."
O'Connell, who has mostly plied his trade on the futures circuit in Europe, claimed an impressive win over Sam Groth during the wildcard playoffs.
"That was one of the biggest matches I've played probably in my career," he said.
"To win a close five-setter against him gave me a lot of confidence leading into the Australian Open."
