After an impressive start to 2011, Matt Ebden will play today’s first match on Margaret Court Arena at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
Ebden’s opponent will be American Michael Russell, an experienced competitor who made his Grand Slam debut at the 1998 US Open and has gone on to play in 18 additional majors.
A first round match against Russell is a much kinder draw than what Ebden drew in 2010 when he played flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils.
However, Ebden is well aware of Russell’s experience and knows that it will be a tough match.
“I don’t think it’s one of the better draws … the guy I’m playing has been a good player for many years,” Ebden said.
“But he’s getting a bit older now, so hopefully I can be the young guy who knocks him off.
“He knows what he’s doing out there. He’ll be tough to overcome, but it’ll be a good test for me.”
Ebden’s performances over the past month, which included a quarter final appearance against current world #4 Robin Soderling at the Brisbane International has drawn significant praise from Australian tennis greats in John Newcombe, Wally Masur and Lleyton Hewitt, who all believe that the West Australian has the game, and the work ethic, to be a top 40 player.
Ebden’s match against Russell will get underway at 11am AEST on Margaret Court Arena, a venue that will also play host to a number of other Australian players later in the afternoon including Alicia Molik and Anastasia Rodionova.