Tennis: Teen dreams of downing Nadal

MELBOURNE - Australian teenager Bernard Tomic gets his chance to attempt what no one else in men's tennis has managed for the past year when he takes on world No.1 Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open tonight.

With Nadal unbeaten in 23 grand slam matches since pulling out of last year's Open injured, it would rank as one of the greatest upsets in tennis history if 18-year-old Tomic could down him in just his ninth grand slam match.

Tomic says he is entering the third-round clash with modest expectations, but will be living a dream by taking on the world's best on the big stage and refuses to rule out pulling off a massive boilover.

"My job is just to go out there and relax, that's the only chance I'll have to win," Tomic said.

"I think I can do it, it's going to be tough but I have to believe."

While Tomic seeks to defy his underdog status, Australia's other remaining singles hope, fifth seed Samantha Stosur, will be favoured to down Czech 25th seed Petra Kvitova in the earlier night match on Rod Laver Arena.

Stosur breezed through the first two rounds, dropping a combined total of just seven games.

Earlier on Saturday, women's title favourite Kim Clijsters will meet unseeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet and Russian world No.2 Vera Zvonareva plays Czech Lucie Safarova..

In the men's draw, Scottish fifth seed Andy Murray and Sweden's fourth seed Robin Soderling will play their third round matches, as will Cypriot crowd favourite and 21st seed Marcos Baghdatis.

- AAP