A week ago when the draws were conducted a potential rematch leapt from between the lines and numbers.
Fans and media speculated and three rounds later a blockbuster billing will take to Rod Laver Arena with world No.1 Rafael Nadal up against livewire home charge Nick Kyrgios for a quarterfinal ticket.
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Top seed Nadal has breezed past his three opponents thus far with consummate ease, whilst Kyrgios has demonstrated his usual shot-making and swagger together with a reinforced mental fortitude.
The home talisman’s five-set epic with Russian powerhouse Karen Khachanov was electric. There can be no doubting now, Kyrgios is up for the fight.
Ever since a teenage Kyrgios burst onto the scene by defeating Nadal at Wimbledon 2014, there has been a bit of spice between these contrasting characters.
The Spaniard edges their head to head at 4-3, with Kyrgios prevailing in a fiery contest in Acapulco last February, before Nadal won the most recent bout 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3) in a high-quality contest on the lawns on Wimbledon in July.
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“At the end of the day, we're two different tennis players. We go about it completely different,” explained world No.26 Kyrgios, feeling ready to rise to the occasion.
“At Wimbledon, I lost, I got beaten by the better player. I shook his hand, looked him in the eye, and said, ‘Too good.’
“Regardless, if we don't like each other or whatever, I think there's a layer of respect. He's one of the greatest of all time. I also read that he thinks I'm good for the sport.
“We're going to go out there and give contrasting styles and personalities.
“He’s arguably the greatest of all time … he’s a champion, so I’m going to give everything I have, and hopefully it’ll be enough. I feel like my game is ready to go. I'm looking forward to it. That's why you play, I guess.”
Kyrgios, 24, will have to recover quickly, his heroics in Melbourne Arena on Saturday night produced the longest match of his career over four hours and 26 minutes. In contrast, 2009 champion Nadal hit 42 winners to relinquish just seven games facing compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in a ruthless demolition.
“He didn’t lose any sets so he’s in good condition I think he’s getting better every day,” stated Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya, expecting a finely poised battle.
“Yeah he (Kyrgios) likes these kind of matches as well, Rafa, he’s a great champion. He’s been through these situations so many times.
“Every match is different. I think there’s going to be very few chances for both of them. The player who’s going to take advantage of those few chances is going to win the match, so it’ll all depend on three or four points.”
Elsewhere on Monday 2016 champion Angelique Kerber will hope to return to the quarterfinals in action against No.30 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
2018 finalist Simona Halep hopes to navigate past Elise Mertens to reach the last eight, whilst two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza will have her resurgent form under intense scrutiny facing No.9 seed Kiki Bertens.
Anett Kontaveit and Polish teenager Iga Swiatek are set to vie for a maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal ticket.
Back to the men’s draw and world No.7 Alexander Zverev will have to be in the zone to tackle Andrey Rublev. The Russian is undefeated so far in 2020, having picked up titles at Doha and Adelaide earlier this month.
Fans can expect a captivating contest between the gregarious Gael Monfils and fifth seed Dominic Thiem. The victor's reward is being able take on the winner of Nadal and Kyrgios’ cracker.
US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev will hope to continue his strong form in a clash with 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka.