Alexei Popyrin, 19, will play on the biggest stage of his career on Thursday, when he faces world No.8 Dominic Thiem on Melbourne Arena in the second round.

The Sydney-born talent is a French Open junior champion and on his major debut, holding back from the main tour until this year.

He sliced 400 places off his world ranking in 2018 and entered the Australian Open as the world No.149.

That's certain to drop further after a first-round triumph on Tuesday, a straight-sets dismissal of wily veteran Mischa Zverev.

His mentor and first coach, 1980 Australian Open finalist Kim Warwick, believes the big time is beckoning for the Europe-based teen.

"I started coaching him when he was five. I made a statement at seven that I'd be surprised if he wasn't a top-100 player," he told AAP.

"That's a big statement at seven years old but he had the right attitude to go as far as you possibly can in the sport."

Further wraps on Popyrin's promise come from the very top.

This week, he's been plucked by none other than Novak Djokovic as a training partner at Melbourne Park.

"It's a great endorsement to get the No.1 guy in the world want to practise with a 19-year-old. It's just huge," said Warwick.

Popyrin, managed by global powerhouse IMG, spent December training at Patrick Mouratoglou's famed academy in France in readiness for the Australian summer.

Warwick said his entourage couldn't wait to see how Popyrin performed during his coming-of-age test.

"He's probably 40-60 against Thiem. He's got a chance," he said.

"He plays big enough now and he's practised with the big guys enough that he should be reasonably comfortable. He mightn't beat him but he really could and I wouldn't be surprised if he does."

Australian Associated Press