Samantha Stosur and Peter Luczak have been afforded the grand stage of Rod Laver Arena for the matches of their lives at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Stosur and Luczak - two of Australia's three remaining singles hopes - will take to centre court not as cannon fodder for top seeds, but as legitimate chances against unseeded opponents in their third round matches.

Stosur plays Austrian Sybille Bammer, ranked 33 places below the world No.46 in the coveted night session.

Luczak faces a tougher task in German Tommy Haas, a former top 10 player who has been in scintillating touch in his two Open matches so far.

Haas is ranked outside the world's top 40 but looked back to his best in a 6-0 6-1 6-2 demolition of American Paul Goldstein in 76 minutes on Thursday.

Melbourne-based wildcard Nathan Healey is also eyeing the prospect of a spot in the last 16 of a major for the first time in his career when he plays fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko on Saturday night at Margaret Court Arena.

Healey was near collapse after braving 35 degree heat to win his second round match against American Amer Delic on Thursday, but remains confident he can test the Russian.

"I'm confident. I'm feeling good out there," said Healey, the world No.240.

"I'm playing within myself. If I can just remain on my feet, I think I've got a good shot."

Men's No.1 seed Roger Federer, who has cruised through his opening two matches, plays 30th seed Max Mirnyi of Belarus on centre court on Saturday night.

Other leading players in action include women's second seed Kim Clijsters against unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci and third seed Amelie Mauresmo playing emerging Dutch star Michaella Krajicek.

Both will be hoping to avoid Serena Williams' fate on Friday night, with the 13th seed sent packing by No.17 seed Daniela Hantuchova 6-1 7-6 (7-5).

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