The last Aussie to beat Jannik Sinner got under the Italian's skin. It was James Duckworth and he's primed to do it again

James Duckworth has got under Jannik Sinner's skin before.

And while the Italian has since developed into the ultimate tennis iceman, John Millman believes the Australian underdog retains a puncher's chance at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night.

Defending Australian Open champion Sinner has a 2-1 career advantage over Duckworth, the 34-year-old world No.88.

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Duckworth knocked Sinner over when he was still a raw teenager, 6-3, 6-4, in 2021, at a COVID-affected ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal.

Sydneysider Duckworth repeatedly channelled Lleyton Hewitt with loud 'C'mon's' after winning points that day and Sinner finally snapped.

"Cazzo urli," Sinner cried, which basically translates to "why the f--k are you screaming?" in English.

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Duckworth remains the last Aussie player to beat Sinner.

"I was at that tournament and I think on that occasion, James fought hard but also gave Jannik Sinner the unexpected," Millman told Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.

"It was a younger version of the Jannik Sinner that we see today, and he got a bit fired up, didn't he?

"James is going to give what he gets and Jannik Sinner was a little bit younger then, and I don't know if he controlled his emotions as well as what we've come to expect from him in that one.

"James is a competitor, expect the unexpected with the big fella."

Sinner would get revenge later that year with a straight-sets win in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The AO second round clash will be their first match since 2021 and Sinner, the world No.2, is of course an overwhelming favourite.

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Millman did it himself, stunning Roger Federer in the US Open round of 16 in 2018.

"My advice is to not play the reputation," Millman said.

"You don't want to play Jannik's reputation, don't play the person at the other end, play the conditions. And I know that James Duckworth is going to be so studied going into this match.

"He's not going to give Jannik Sinner any rhythm. He's not going to want to get into these baseline exchanges, so you're going to see him rushing to the net a lot. He's going to change his position along the baseline with his serve. He'll stand out wide, almost in a traditional doubles stance.

"He'll just give Jannik Sinner different looks, really try to throw him out of his rhythm."

Duckworth beat Croatia's Dino Prizmic in five sets in the first round.

And the bloodlines are good: his late grandmother Beryl Penrose won the 1955 AO women's singles and doubles titles.

"It will be tough. He (Sinner) is obviously playing pretty well and he's pretty good in Australia, but if I come out and play aggressive, I can cause him some problems," Duckworth said.

"I know it was a couple of years ago, but I beat him once before. It would be awesome and I'll give it my best. It's what you train for, it's what you put in all the hours on the practice court and in the gym for.

"It's why you play tennis, to be in these situations, so it's really cool."

Duckworth quipped he would love to face Sinner on Court 6, rather than centre court.

'I'll definitely tell (AO tournament director) Craig (Tiley) that, but he'll tell me where I can stick that idea."