Bernard Tomic knows he needs to play cleverly tonight against his idol Roger Federer. He is aware of the importance of the first set.
He thinks he will benefit from the fact this is not his first match against the 16-time Grand Slam champion.
And he accepts that he must believe, but is also prepared to pray. Whatever it takes.
''I think I can get the balls down to where Roger probably can't use his backhand enough. He has one of the best forehands in the world,'' Tomic said.
''I think I play really smart. Hopefully my smartness can make me win me a set or two, maybe even win. I can't guarantee. It's Roger.''
When Tomic thinks of Federer that small matter of 16 majors is the big ''scary'' number that comes first to mind.
''What he's achieved is unbelievable. I think nobody in tennis will ever achieve that ... Now having played him before, I think I have an intense sense of what he can do and where he can hurt me, where he can't.
''I got to go out there feeling good and have a go and try to win. Playing Roger is an experience that I'll always remember.
''Hopefully I can play well and relax and have fun. I just have to go out there and focus, and I think I can have a good tennis match and who knows? Maybe win.''
Realistically, the prospect of that happening may not be great, but Tomic grabbed a set from the fatigued Swiss at the Royal Sydney Golf Club during the Davis Cup play-off last September.
Federer admits the trip, which came after a gut-wrenching loss to Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals, was ''all a bit of blur''.
He recalls little except the wind, bad bounces and abundant trading of slice.
''I do remember it was tough and tricky,'' said Federer, who was planning to dissect Friday's third round in which Tomic upset 13th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov 4-6, 7-6(7-0), 7-6(8-6), 2-6, 6-3.
Tomic's game also owes something to Federer, apparently - notably that fine sliced backhand. The teenager saw, three or four years ago, how the champion played the shot. Then copied it.
Indeed, while the 19-year-old is not a prolific tennis viewer, he has watched Federer since the first of his six Wimbledon titles in 2003, and follows him still. After their first on-court assignation, the pair exchanged a few words.
''He gave me a few tips, which is good now because I play him. So thanks, Roger. He said, you know, I was good and can improve. I play a different game,'' Tomic said.
''It's good to get advice like that from someone like that when he beat me. I get the chance to play him now again, which is really good for me.''
Back when he was a 12-year-old Nike stablemate meeting the then No1, Tomic says he was not thinking of future duels on Rod Laver Arena. At 12, he jokes he was probably more interested in ''Pokemon cards and that stuff''.
In contrast, this is his thinking now, ''I'm beating the top players in the world and having chances, playing for spots in quarter-finals of Grand Slams. It's a big feeling, and I'm happy with what I achieved last year. This year has been great. It's a start of a good year for me, so I can't wait to play Roger.''
Tomic is happy this is not his first match against his hero, while admitting he feels almost conflicted by the notion that if he is to win, Federer must lose.
But he has a feel for what will be required, even on a surface that does not suit the Australian as well as imperfect grass. The trade-off is he was a little nervous then; more confident now.
''Happy to know I got a set off him last time,'' said Tomic, labelling the first set as a ''very, very important key'' to the rematch.
''I hope I play good against him. I have to play good against him. I have to play good to have any chance.
''It's my home Grand Slam. People are going to support me. Against Roger you need to know how to play tennis and need to play tennis well if I have any chance of beating him. That's why he's the greatest to play the sport.''
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