In-form Ebden to face Kyrgios
Matt Ebden has set up an all-Australian showdown with Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International tomorrow after starting 2018 in style with a straight-sets win on Pat Rafter Arena.
Ebden was too good for 19-year-old American Frances Tiafoe yesterday, winning 6-3 6-2 to set up the Kyrgios clash.
He joins another Aussie, Alex De Minaur, in the second round after the wildcard upset American Steve Johnson on New Year’s Eve.
Only 12 months ago Ebden was ranked as low as No.699 in the world. His surge back to No.76 saw him make the biggest jump back into the top 100 in 2017.
And he will carry form into his clash with Kyrgios, having claimed 17 of his past 20 matches on tour.
“For sure I’m a better player, whether on not that shows in rankings yet is to be seen,” Ebden said of his return to form since a niggling knee injury.
“Nearing the end of my 20s, you start thinking this isn’t for ever ... but I know the level I can play at, you don’t lose that, it’s not a fluke.
“I think I can do a lot better than I’ve done in the past and that’s what motivated me to get back up again.”
“Nick’s a good player, just like everyone else,” Ebden added.
“He’s got a great serve, it’s one of his biggest weapons and he’s good around the court.
“I’ve got to serve well myself and come out and play a really high quality level.”
Earlier, American Ryan Harrison ground out a tough 6-4 3-6 6-2 result over Argentine Leonardo Mayer. His reward is a round-two meeting with No.2 seed Andy Murray.
In the women’s draw, No.3 seed Elina Svitolina defeated Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in a high-quality first-round encounter.
The Ukrainian came out on top 6-2 6-4 but did not have it all her own way as Navarro matched her higher-ranked opponent from the baseline.
Meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has withdrawn with a viral illness. The 27-year-old Czech could not get up to play Estonian Anett Kontaveit and was replaced in the draw by lucky loser Heather Watson.