Melbourne, 22 January 2012 | AAP

Bernard Tomic will on Sunday night attempt to stop his boyhood idol Roger Federer reaching a Grand Slam quarterfinal, or better, for the 31st straight time.

The unseeded Australian meets the Swiss 16-time Grand Slam title winner in the fourth round in the opening night match in Rod Laver Arena.

Tomic, whose only previous meeting with Federer was in Davis Cup, said even now the long-time former world No.1 was the one player who could still cause him to revert from player to fan.

“I don’t enjoy watching tennis, but when Roger plays on TV, you know, it’s a pleasure to watch,” the 19-year-old said.

“For us players, we’re always in the locker room, looking at tennis. It’s a bit difficult. You’re always looking at tennis, so it becomes a little bit boring.

“[But] for a player like that, when he plays, I’m going to sit and watch the whole match if I can.”

Earlier in the day, reigning women’s champion Kim Clijsters will take on Chinese fifth seed Li Na, the player she downed in last year’s final.

In another notable women’s fourth round match, world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki will take on Serbian 13th seed and former No.1 Jelena Jankovic in the second night match in Rod Laver Arena.

Also in action on Sunday are in-form Belarusian third seed Victoria Azarenka and men’s world No.2 Rafael Nadal, who meets fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

While Tomic is the only Australian playing men’s singles on Sunday, a host of Australian juniors will begin their singles campaigns.

They include Tomic’s 13-year-old sister Sara.

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