In 2012, when Victoria Azarenka hoisted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the first time, Madison Keys had just made her Melbourne Park debut as a 17-year-old wildcard, falling at the first hurdle.
A decade since her second Australian Open title, Azarenka powered into a fourth tour-level showdown with the American on the heels of a 6-1 6-0 trouncing of Nadia Podoroska.
HONOUR ROLL: Australian Open women's singles
It marked the 33-year-old's 150th Grand Slam match win from 205 contested, making her the 14th fastest woman to reach this milestone in the Open era.
Chris Evert was quickest to get there, needing only 165 matches to reach the mark, while Steffi Graf needed just 170.
The 24th seed has never lost to Keys, having swept their 2018 Miami Open and 2021 Roland Garros encounters in straight-sets.
At the Guadalajara Open, just three months ago, Keys nabbed the first set before Azarenka prevailed 6-4 6-7(4) 6-1.
Ahead of their popcorn-worthy Friday showdown, both women know looking after their own service games is critical.
In Guadalajara, the American, a semifinalist at AO 2015 and AO 2022, served nine aces to Azarenka's one and threw in 10 double faults to her opponent's 11.
"I feel like my serve has been working quite well with intention, with precision, the way I've been able to take it to my advantage," Azarenka said after her straight-sets knock out of AO 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in the opening round.
She followed that up with a speedy 57-minute demolition of Podoroska in cool conditions on Wednesday night.
Azarenka's 119th straight-sets victory in a major tied her with Jana Novotna for most in the Open era, with Serena Williams leading a group of 12 women above her.
It gave Azarenka a 79.87 per cent success rate closing out Grand Slam clashes in straight sets from 149 matches, 15th on the Open era list.
Kim Clijsters tops that list with 84.85 per cent of major showdowns finished in two sets.
As the only remaining women's champion in the draw and with 20 hard-court titles – the most of any women's singles title contender – Azarenka is perhaps the most dangerous unseeded player in the round of 32.
"I feel like mentally I'm in a very good, stable place right now so I want to see how far I can go," the right-hander said. But unlocking Keys won't be easy.
Seeded 10th this fortnight, the 27-year-old led the United States to United Cup glory with a perfect 5-0 record earlier this month, earning valuable match play in the process.
Focusing on being able to win ugly has contributed to her recent string of success.
"I think I've done a pretty good job at, even in matches where I start not playing amazing, figuring my way out, getting more comfortable and just giving myself the opportunity to get into matches," the Florida resident said.
"That's been a big goal of mine, and that's something that I'm working on… I think that's what I've been the most proud of so far this season.
"It's really just trying to let myself rely on making balls because I have become a much better mover, and I can stay in points, and I don't necessarily have to be the aggressor all of the time."
Keys is 7-0 in 2023 after toughing out a three-set win against Anna Blinkova in the first round and dropped just five games in a second round romp over Wang Xinyu.
It gave the American her 92nd Grand Slam main draw win from 130 matches contested.
MORE: All the scores from AO 2023
From as many major clashes, Azarenka has claimed 99 wins for 31 defeats.
A career-first victory over her more experienced rival is well within grasp if Keys, much like her Team USA comrades, stays locked in.