Heather Watson is refusing to underestimate Samantha Stosur as she plots the latest chapter in the local hope's sorry Australian Open story.
The British No.2 takes on the Australian No.1 on Tuesday cautiously optimistic of causing a boilover after an encouraging performance at the season-opening Hopman Cup in Perth.
But she's having none of the talk that Stosur's a spent force after failing to win a match since last year's US Open and crashing out of the first round in Brisbane and Sydney.
Stosur's eight-match losing streak is hardly the preparation that suggests the 32-year-old is about to improve on a lamentable record of just two trips to the second week in 14 previous appearances at Melbourne Park.
"Her results have been up and down but she is obviously a great player, a grand slam champion," Watson told British reporters.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"She is 21 in the world right now. People talk about her quite negatively here because she hasn't got the results here in the past that she wanted. But as a player on the tour year round, she is very good."
Stosur, seeded 18th this year, has beaten the 81st-ranked Watson in both their previous encounters and the Englishwoman expects to have her work cut out - but is hoping a show court will bring out her best.
"I look forward to that. For me, I have not got to focus on her too much," Watson said.
"A lot of people have got a lot to say about her playing here at home. I just need to focus on myself and me playing the best that I can."
Stosur and 22nd seed Daria Gavrilova headline 10 Australians in action on day two.
Hoping to back up her charge to the fourth round last year, Gavrilova also faces a Brit, world No.97 Naomi Broady.
Teenage wildcard Lizette Cabrera plays Croatian Donna Vekic, while Arina Rodionova has a tough assignment against 17th seed and former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki .
Australian Open wildcard playoff winner Omar Jasika - up against Spnaish veteran David Ferrer - is among six local men featuring on the day two program.
Jordan Thompson plays Portugal's Joao Sousa, Andrew Whittington makes his grand slam debut against Czech Adam Pavlasek, while fellow wildcard Chris O'Connell will test his credentials against 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov.
Alex Bolt meets Yoshihito Nishioka and Blake Mott has earned a crack at 18th seed Richard Gasquet after also successfully qualifying.
