Nick Kyrgios has admitted that he had been hoping to play Roger Federer in the fourth round of the Australian Open, but will face off against Andreas Seppi following the Swiss's elimination in the third round.

The four-time champion crashed out of the competition in four sets to the Italian in the Rod Laver Arena, which set up a clash between the 30-year-old and Kyrgios for a place in the quarter-finals on Sunday following the 19-year-old's victory over Malek Jaziri.

"There was a little part of me [hoping to play Federer]," Kyrgios told reporters.

"I was actually thinking about it last night. I had a tough match last night. It's hard not to think about playing possibly the greatest of all time. Everyone wants to play Roger.

"I can only dream about what Seppi is feeling right now, to beat him in four sets on Rod Laver. That's massive for him. But I get to play another great guy that's been on tour for a long, long time."

Kyrgios can reach the last eight of a Grand Slam for the second time in his career with a win over Seppi.