Nick Kyrgios has drawn Russian world No.99 Roman Safiullin in the Australian Open first round, while fellow home seed Alex de Minaur will start against a qualifier.
If he wins his opener, Kyrgios is certain to face a Frenchman next - either veteran Richard Gasquet or talented youngster Ugo Humbert.
Which dangerman Kyrgios could strike in the third round was the most compelling question to be answered at Thursday's draw in Melbourne.
Seeded 19th, Kyrgios is guaranteed to avoid a top-eight rival until at least the second week - if he makes it that far.
Potentially standing in the way of Australia's chief title hope and a place in the last 16 were a batch of exciting youngsters and some of the heaviest hitters in men's tennis.
He landed 19-year-old Holger Rune, the Scandinavian prodigy who has just gatecrashed the world's top 10 after a breakout 2022 highlighted by a run to the French Open quarter-finals.
If it's not Rune, Kyrgios could face a testing third-round encounter with crafty American serve-volleyer Maxime Cressy.
