Bernard Tomic has revealed he is plotting to bring down Andy Murray by studying the Scot's shock defeat to Kevin Anderson at the US Open.
Murray's fourth round exit in New York was his first before a grand slam quarter-final since 2010 and now Tomic wants to inflict another upset at the same stage of the Australian Open.
Tomic has lost all three of the pair's previous meetings, including at the Davis Cup in September, but he has a powerful game which, when firing, could disrupt the British number one.
Anderson blew Murray away at Flushing Meadows with an inspired attacking performance, shooting 25 aces and winning 41 of his 58 ventures to the net.
All-out aggression is a risky approach, as the adventurous Sam Groth discovered in round two, given Murray is arguably the best counter-puncher in the game, capable of capitalising on the slightest misjudgement.
Tomic, ranked 17th in the world, understands there is a balance to be struck.
"Andy loves playing players that attack. I don't think he likes players like John Isner and Anderson," Tomic said.
"You have to take the ball to him, play aggressive, but not too aggressive, and rally at the right time.
"Will I have a look at the Anderson match? Yeah, I was watching in New York when Anderson beat Murray in the fourth round of the US Open.
"Also I look back and I have a good record against Anderson. I think it's 3-Love or 4-Love. Anything is possible now in this position.
"I'm playing well. I feel so confident. On my day I can beat anyone."
Tomic was once considered one of the brightest talents on the tour but he is yet to close the gap on the game's established elite, with off-court controversies too often taking centre stage.
His repost to Roger Federer's recent criticism, sniping that the 17-time major champion is "nowhere near" Novak Djokovic, is testament to his confidence - but even he admits the time for talk is over.
"Absolutely I have a point to prove," Tomic said. "It's not about getting to the top 10, top eight. You have to stay there."
Tomic continued: "Playing Andy now is an amazing opportunity.
"It's going to be so tough for me. I have to play my game. I know previously playing up in Brisbane, the last three weeks, I've been playing really good tennis.
"If I play the right way, the right tactics, serve well, there's a huge chance for me."
Murray's focus on the first major tournament of the year has been tested, first by the impending birth of his first child next month and then on Saturday, when his father-in-law Nigel Sears collapsed.
Sears, also the coach of Ana Ivanovic, spent Saturday night in a Melbourne hospital but is understood to be stable and hoping to being released on Sunday.
Murray rushed to visit the 58-year-old following his victory over Portugal's Joao Sousa, but how much the episode will affect his mindset on Monday is unclear.
"I'm very sorry. I heard briefly what happened quickly," Tomic added.
"For his sake, it's bad luck. I wish him the best. I'm sure it will have no effect for him when he plays on Monday."
Source: PA
