Alexei Popyrin knows just how Ugo Humbert feels ahead of their French Open showdown.

The pair will kick off Roland Garros action on Sunday on an outside court sure to be heaving as locals throw their support behind the 20-year-old French talent.

Popyrin, one of 12 Australians contesting singles in Paris but the sole opening-day representative, was in the same boat earlier this year in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old flourished, thumping German veteran Mischa Zverev in straight sets on his way to the Australian Open third round.

In an introduction of sorts to the Australian public, the teenager showed then that he could handle the big stage and can’t wait to experience the other side of the coin in Paris on Sunday.

“I reckon the match will look something like my first round at the Aussie Open, but this time I won’t have the crowd on my side,” Popyrin said.

“I love the big crowds though, even when the crowd’s against me it just gives me extra fight, extra motivation.”

A French Open junior champion on his last visit two years ago, Popyrin carries plenty of good vibes through the gates and onto the clay, where he has proved he is comfortable.

But left-hander Humbert grew up honing his craft on the red Paris dirt and will debut in the main draw as one of an 18-strong French male contingent.

“We are at home, our family is there, the atmosphere is always incredible when a French player plays,” he told Le Republicain Lorrain.

“For me, frankly, that is a lot of fun.”