Justine Henin says she is looking forward to the ultimate challenge of her career after reaching her first Grand Slam final in three years in just her second tournament back from a short-lived retirement.
Henin was of course referring to her final showdown against world No.1 Serena Williams after the two greatest female players of the first decade of the 21st century booked their places in Saturday's Australian Open women's final after contrasting semi-final wins on Thursday.
While Henin needed just 51 minutes to thrash 35th ranked Zheng Jie 6-1 6-0, Williams was on court just over two hours in downing another surprise Chinese semi-finalist 16th seed Li Na 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-1).
Incredibly it will be the first time that Henin and Williams have met in a Grand Slam decider despite the fact the former world No.1 and the current world No.1 have won 18 major titles between them.
For Henin, who retired from tennis between May 2008 and September 2009, it will be her first Grand Slam final since winning her second US Open in 2007 and comes in just her second tournament back after finishing runner-up to Kim Clijsters in Brisbane.
And if to win her eighth Grand Slam title and second Australian Open at such an early stage of her comeback wasn't tough enough, she also has to face the imposing Williams - who is unbeaten in four Australian Open finals and has claimed 11 major titles overall.
But Henin is undaunted.
"I'm so happy to play against her because if I want to win another Grand Slam, I'll have to beat the best player in the world and that's just the biggest challenge I could get," Henin said.
"I have to be honest, I didn't really expect that (to be facing Williams in the final) but now that is the reality that is coming and I will try to be at my best."
It is the fascinating clashes of styles - the sheer power of Williams against the grace and artistry of the much smaller but technically sublime Henin - that tennis fans have long wanted to see on the game's biggest stage.
But Henin does not see the clash as the one which will decide just who is the greater player of the pair.
When asked if Saturday night's final would decide the 'queen' of women's tennis once and for all; Henin admitted 'that would be a nice title'.
"But I think we have both proved different kinds of things in the past," the four-time French Open champion said.
"What Serena (who unlike Henin has won all four Grand Slam titles with Henin still yet to win Wimbledon) has been doing is just amazing and she is still doing it."
"And I have done it my way also on tour."
"I think we have brought different kind of things to the game so we both have a different place on tour."
"She is No.1 and I've been to No.1 and I hope it's going to be a great match."
"I hope it's going to be a good atmosphere on the court and that people are going to like the match and we can be at our best. That's what I wish for."
And Henin, who has looked a far more relaxed person so far in her second coming as a tennis player, has vowed to maintain her new-found approach ahead of Saturday's