Rising Australian star Alexei Popyrin is preparing for a step into the unknown should he play Novak Djokovic as expected at the US Open on Friday.

The 25-year-old reached the last 32 at the US Open for the third time with a dominant victory over 6-2 6-4 6-0 victory over Pedro Martinez, a Spaniard who held the upper-hand in their rivalry until Wednesday’s walloping.

He awaits the winner of Djokovic and Laslo Djere, a fellow Serbian who gave his legendary compatriot a big scare in New York a year ago, with that match to be played shortly at Flushing Meadows.

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But should the defending champion Djokovic progress as expected, they will meet for the third time this year in a grand slam in a match that will played in prime-time across the United States on Friday on the biggest court in the world.

It is an arena Popyrin has never set foot in, let alone practiced or played in. Because of the acoustics and configuration, it can be overwhelming. South Australian Li Tu said after his clash with Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night he could not believe how loud it is.

But Popyrin has played Djokovic in the most famous stadium in tennis, Centre Court at Wimbledon, and on Australia’s biggest court, Rod Laver Arena, and is looking forward to the challenge that he is likely to confront on Friday.

“I’ve never been on it, never even stepped foot on it, so we’ll see how it is. But look, I enjoy the big moments. I enjoy the big courts. I think you guys know that,” he said.

“If we play a night match and there’s a slot in between, then probably I could maybe jump on it for 20 minutes. If we play the first match (at night) then, yeah, I’ll be able to warm up on it. But it’s highly unlikely that I’ll be able to step foot on it.

“I’ll probably … try and go and watch something just before or something like that. I think it’s going to be a little bit different to Wimbledon and probably at the AO Stadium, Rod Laver.

“It’ll be a little bit similar to (Philippe) Chatrier (at Roland Garros), because it’s a very big court, and I’ve been told that it’s quite hectic out there with people moving and people talking quite loudly during the point. So (that is) something that we’ll have to get used to during the match.”

The pair met on Rod Laver Arena in January in the second round of the Australian Open and it was a tight test, with Popyrin beaten 6-3 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3. He walked away disappointed but convinced he was capable of matching it with the most successful man ever.

“I genuinely believe I could have won that match, if I had won that third set (at the Australian Open),” Popyrin said at the time.

“I feel like I was in the driver’s seat and I felt super comfortable out there, and enjoyed every moment. (Djokovic) is a super-solid player, but I do feel he gives you chances every now and then in the points.”

When they met at Wimbledon two months ago, Popyrin pushed Djokovic to the brink of a deciding set when beaten 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (3) but he feels he was not quite as close there as he was at the Australian Open.

“I think he served particularly well at Wimbledon,” he said on Wednesday.

“I didn’t have many chances to break and he mixed up his serves really well. So I didn’t feel as comfortable as I did at the AO. I think that one was probably the closest, and that one was hurt more.

“I was disappointed afterwards, obviously, because I felt like I was in the match and I could (have) gotten my chances to win there.”

Those matches suggested Popyrin was closing on the world’s best players and he demonstrated this with his outstanding success at the Montreal Masters when joining Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter and Mark Philippoussis as the only Aussies to win a title at that level.

He has carried that form to New York with straight sets wins over Soonwoo Kwon and Martinez, who had won their two prior outings, and feels in good shape after wrapping up victory quickly on a particularly hot day in New York.

“I think it’s important that, especially in this weather, to get through in straight sets. I think that was my biggest focus,” he said.

“I felt quite rough but I trusted my fitness, I trusted my team, and I think … the most important thing was that we got through in straight sets, and we have maximum time to recover now.”

The Sydneysider was the only Australian to progress on the third day. Rinky Hijikata, who reached the fourth round last year, was outclassed early by No.9 seed Grigor Dimitrov and unable to rally late when beaten 6-1 6-1 7-6 (4).

Maya Joint, an 18-year-old raised in Michigan who is playing under the Australian flag, demonstrated her promise against former US Open finalist Madison Keys on Arthur Ashe Stadium before the experienced American proved too strong 6-4 6-0.

Former US Open quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic was below her best form when beaten by the seeded Elise Mertens 6-3 6-2.

World No.10 Alex de Minaur leads the six Australian men in action on Day 4 of the US Open tomorrow.

More to come …