Roger Federer aims to break the heart of a nation when he takes on Bernard Tomic in Sunday's fourth round at the Australian Open.
The Australian summer season will long be regarded as Tomic's coming of age. The 19 year old has shown he has the ability to win on the big stage and go the distance and he's already provided this year's Australian Open with some memorable stuff. However, can he take his game to the next level and unseat a legend ?
Tomic has never beaten a member of the top four though he's pushed them close in the past - taking Novak Djokovic to four sets in the Wimbledon quarters and taking a set off Federer when they met in Davis Cup in September.
And it's the experience of that last encounter which Tomic believes will be crucial when he takes on the master in Sunday's night session on Rod Laver Arena.
“He gave me a few tips, which is good now because I play him, so thanks, Roger,” Tomic grinned. “He said I was good and can improve. I play a different game."
“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. 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've 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. I just have to go out there and focus, and I think I can have a good tennis match and who knows? Maybe win.”
Federer has not been at his consummate best in this tournament but like Tomic, he too has a point to prove. Expect the Swiss to step up a gear and take this one in four.
