On the outside courts at Melbourne Park, a familiar face was toiling away.

Nine years after his spectacular run to the final of the Australian Open, Marcos Baghdatis and his loyal cheer squad went to work on court six.

This was an improvement from court 13, where he beat Teymuraz Gabashvili on the opening day.

With vocal support, Baghdatis ousted 20th seed David Goffin in four sets to secure a place in the last 32.

This is far from Baghdatis’ first time outside the spotlight.

The Cypriot is more of a cult figure these days, having failed to match his 2006 performance in any grand slam since.

His Open build-up confirmed as much.

Rather than join his ATP rivals in Brisbane, Doha or Sydney, Baghdatis headed to Happy Valley tennis club south of Adelaide.

His pay check from making the final at the second-tier Challenger event there was just $US4,240. ($A4,580)

But his rationale comes from somewhere deeper than tennis.

“When you get lost in your life, I think you should get back to basics,” he said.

“You have doubts in you, it happens to anybody in life.

“It was important for me to get back to the basics and start from the beginning.

“I’m doing it right now, and I’m enjoying it.”

His 6-1 6-4 4-6 6-0 win over Goffin – which guarantees at least $US97,500 ($A105,500) – confirms as much.

Baghdatis has battled ankle injuries and personal issues over a challenging few seasons.

Changing shirts as he dealt with the Open’s first hot day, Baghdatis revealed a physique closer to regular patrons of his favourite Melbourne souvlaki restaurant Stalactites than an elite athlete.

At least he isn’t pretending it’s otherwise.

“I’m not at my best. I’m coming back, I feel younger and younger which is a good thing,” he said.

“I’m 29 years old, getting old.

“My goal this year is to make the top 50.

“But I think if I work in the right way I can have another four or five years.”

At the scene of his greatest success, his five-set semi-final triumph over David Nalbandian nine years prior, Baghdatis felt closer than ever to his moment in the sun.

“I was 20, young, with nothing to lose,” he said.

“It was the best feeling I’ve ever had on a tennis court.

“I’d love to feel it again.”

His Open gets tougher from here.

A match against 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov gives Baghdatis a chance to make the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time in six years.

And perhaps a chance to step back onto one of Melbourne Park’s bigger stages.

“I’m very happy with my win today,” he said.

“I don’t want to talk about what’s going to happen in two days’ time.

“I’m just going to go and relax.”