Matt Ebden will take to the court later today in the quarter finals of the Brisbane International, where he will meet the current world #5, Robin Soderling.
The Australian earned his place in the last eight with a shock straight sets victory over the 8th seeded Denis Istomin, a player ranked 156 places higher than Ebden.
Despite the ranking difference, Ebden looked at home on Pat Rafter Arena and was the more aggressive player early on, with Istomin was unable to counter Ebden’s supreme speed and athleticism throughout the match.
Ebden, a bronze medallist at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010 has made a habit of turning heads at the Brisbane International.
Last year he upset Jurgen Melzer, currently ranked #11 in the world, to reach the second round before being ousted by Richard Gasquet.
But Ebden rated yesterday’s victory as his greatest to date.
“It is my best result so far … the quarterfinals of a tour event,” he said.
“I’ve qualified in a slam (2010 Australian Open) but for the quarterfinals of a big event, I haven’t had as big a result so far.
“One of the hurdles breaking onto the main tour is winning main draw tour event matches.
“But that’s what I want to do and that’s what I’ve been working on with my coach.
“That’s where Australians want to see their players in these tournaments, they want to see them winning, they don’t want to see them just in the first round.
Australia’s #1 player, Lleyton Hewitt, when asked about Ebden’s improvement and work ethic had nothing but praise for the West Australian.
“Matt’s attitude impressed me from the first time I hit with him and that’s extremely important in tennis. As an individual sport, you can’t rely on others or take short cuts and you have to be tough and single-minded to succeed. Matt’s type of attitude is exactly what’s needed” Hewitt said.
When asked about playing Soderling, a player who has twice made the French Open final and is the only player in history to have defeated Rafael Nadal at that event, Ebden replied that “Robin’s record speaks for itself.
“He’s five in the world. He’s been in the finals of slams.
“He’s beaten the best there are out there.
“If ever there’s a time I need to test my skills, it’s against a guy like that.”
The match will be the third match on Pat Rafter Arena and will be televised on Channel 7 throughout Australia.
> Watch Ebden’s post-match press conference below
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