"I definitely think I have the game, and if I get the mental state, to win a major in the next hopefully two years."

That's what an 18-year-old Bernard Tomic said after his incredible Wimbledon run came to an end in the quarter finals at the hands of Novak Djokovic in 2011.

Unfortunately, his development hasn't been as rapid as he or many Australians may have predicted, but four years on from his heroics at The All England Club, Tomic has rediscovered the form that once filled the nation with great hope.

But again it's the world No.1 standing in his way.

Tomic knows he's up against it. He knows it will take something special to upset the reigning champion.

But he also believes that "something special" is what he can do.

"Him on grass, for me I have more chance, but he's the best player in the world and it's a very tough match," Tomic said.

"I mean, if he's No.1, he's obviously there for a reason. You know, what a player he is. But, you know, I know at my level, if I'm playing good on my day, I can beat him."

Four years ago Tomic went down in four sets.

Then, he was a relative unknown who shocked the tennis world with his incredible run into the final eight, and who was gallant in defeat against the eventual champion.

Four years ago he was a qualifier who knocked Nikolay Davydenko and Robin Soderling out on his way to match up with Djokovic.

Now, after a strong 12 months, he comes in as a seed and a player who has developed his game enough to at least challenge the two-time Wimbledon champion.

"Yeah, I can remember I was playing very good," Tomic said of 2011.

"He was No.1 or two, I think, at that time, as well. He did win Wimbledon after he beat me in the quarters. You know, I have played many times against Novak. You know, I got the feel for him. We have practised a lot of times, but that can mean nothing when you come on the court with him sometimes. He's a very good player.

"I have to serve well if I have any chance of winning. I have to play my tennis, relax, and go for it, you know, really believe and really be in the moment I think and enjoy the match, I think."

Djokovic has vivid memories of the quarter final he described as tough against an up and coming Australian teenager.

"Well, I do expect him to serve well, and I do expect him, you know, to mix up the game, come up with a lot of variety," the reigning champion said.

"That's what he does. He's got a lot of talent in his hands. He can play flat shots. He can play short slice, come to the net. He has a very quick motion for the serve. It's very difficult to read it on grass.

"This is the surface that he loves playing the most on. So it's going to be a difficult match. I remember was it 2011, I think, quarterfinals, we played against each other. Four tough sets. So I'm not expecting anything easy there."

After a five-set slog in the opening round, Tomic enjoyed a straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the heat on Tuesday.

Tomic called for trainer when he was 5-4 up in the second and appeared to have been struggling in the unusually hot conditions that have swept across London. But the 22-year-old managed to regather and compose himself to close out the set.

He found himself 4-1 down in the tie-breaker in the third, storming back to win it 7-5.