Maria Sharapova is relishing the chance to take on Angelique Kerber in a battle of the champions at the Australian Open.
It will be a meeting of the only two former champions in the women's draw, with Sharapova lifting the trophy a decade ago while Kerber was the winner in 2016.
The German endured a miserable 2017, slipping from world No 1 to outside the top 20, but she has been revitalised at the start of this season and is yet to lose a match.
Sharapova, still unseeded after returning from her 15-month doping ban, sees matches against the leading players as the best way to test her level.
She said: "I came back with no ranking. I'm around 50 in the world at this point, so I know I'm going to be facing seeded players, first, second, third round. She happens to be the next one that I have to play.
"I look forward to these matches. I want to be playing against opponents that are former Grand Slam champions. She's had success playing out here in these conditions on these courts. I want to see whether I am on that level."
Sharapova is enjoying returning to Australia for the first time since her failed doping test two years ago.
Her second-round win was a hugely satisfying one, with the Russian overcoming 14th seed Anastasija Sevastova, who had beaten her at the US Open, 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
"I love being in the city," said Sharapova. "I love Australia. I love the summer-time. I was watching this tournament last year with a box of Kleenex next to me sick. I feel like I transported myself into the TV this year and I'm finding myself on Rod Laver Arena competing. There's a lot of things to smile about."
Kerber and Sharapova have played seven times before, with the Russian leading 4-3 but having lost the last two.
Kerber, who defeated Donna Vekic 6-4 6-1, said: "We both played in the past a lot of good matches. I know that I have to play my best tennis again. I think it will be a good match. She played very good the last two here."