With a couple of main rivals out of the picture, Novak Djokovic is the overwhelming favourite to storm into the men's final next Sunday.
The Serbian is fiercely intent on lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for an astonishing 10th time, chasing history to match Rafael Nadal atop the men's all-time list with 22 Grand Slams.
HONOUR ROLL: Australian Open men's singles
The 35-year-old is also riding the wave of a 23-match winning streak on his beloved Rod Laver Arena.
It will take a player with something different, a certain 'X-Factor' to derail Djokovic.
Over to you Grigor Dimitrov.
The No.27 certainly has the swagger, the flashy game, the knowhow to navigate past the very best on his day.
Impressive stats from Dimitrov
Dimitrov, with three quarterfinals and a semifinal (2017) to his name at Melbourne Park, has steamrollered through his first two matches.
The Bulgarian hasn't dropped a set facing the quality of Aslan Karatsev and Laslo Djere.
On top of that he's only surrendered one break point, which he saved. The only other 'unbroken' player in the draw, you guessed it, Djokovic.
Dimitrov also leads the tournament with 59 percent of first serves unreturned.
Yes, Djokovic is one of the greatest returners of all time; landing his first delivery will be a crucial factor for 31-year-old Dimitrov.
Along with their serving superiority, both players have transitioned to the net with great success.
World No.5 Djokovic sits at 54/61 net points won, Dimitrov up on 16/19. Expect some dynamic rallies that's for sure.
A massive factor in favour of Dimitrov is that Djokovic is hampered by a left hamstring injury he sustained en route to the title in Adelaide earlier this month.
Djokovic philosophical about injury
No Spiderman-like splits this fortnight, Djokovic is having to rein in his mind-boggling athleticism and flexibility.
"I am not practising basically on the days between 'cause I'm trying to give myself the more time possible for my leg to be in somewhat of an 'ideal' state for performance on a high level," said Djokovic, who had a medical timeout during his defiant 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-0 victory over French qualifier Enzo Couacaud.
"I am worried. But at the same time I have to accept the circumstances and try to adjust myself with my team. My physio and medical team has been doing everything possible so that I can be able to play every match.
"There's two choices: leave it or keep going. So I'm going to keep going. I'm going to try to play and compete with a great player Dimitrov in a couple days' time."
Dimitrov will need to unleash his full repertoire, keep Djokovic guessing and moving, to truly test that left hamstring.
Saying that, over the years Djokovic has dealt with a multitude of on-court issues and still overhauled opponents from logic-defying deficits. The Serbian is a master at dealing with adversity.
"Two years ago I had kind of similar circumstances here in Australia with a different muscle where I had a tear and I had to deal with that. Somehow I pushed it through and won the tournament," recalled the world No.5.
"It's different now, obviously. I don't know how my body's going to react. I hope for the best. I hope for the positive outcome. I'll take it day by day, match by match, and see how it goes."
Hoping for an "entertaining" encounter
On paper the odds are stacked against Dimitrov, especially as Djokovic dominates their head-to-head at 9-1.
The world No.28 hasn't won an ATP title since lifting the giant ATP Finals silverware in 2017. For someone so talented and high profile, that’s very surprising.
With so much at stake this fortnight, Djokovic won't be taking this last last-32 clash lightly.
“I haven’t played Grigor in many years actually," reflected the No.4 seed, edging Dimitrov 7-6(5), 6-4 in their last meeting at the 2019 Paris Masters.
“I don’t think we’ve faced each other on this court. So hopefully it’s going to be an entertaining match, he’s been playing some great tennis.
“I know him really well, we are good friends off the court. Balkan brothers! Let the better player win.”