Heavy hitters send a message to rivals
A DESIRE to reach his full potential is driving Matthew Ebden’s latest surge, with the resilient all- court player tipping the best is yet to come.
The 30- year- old beat American up- and- comer Frances Tiafoe 6- 3, 6- 2 at the Brisbane International yesterday in a continuation of the form he showed at the back end of 2017 to set up a second round clash with Nick Kyrgios.
Ranked 699 in the world 12 months ago, Ebden is now sitting in 76th spot and just shy of the career- best No. 61 he achieved in 2012.
The South African- born Perth product enjoyed many years of consistency either side of the top 100 before injury interrupted.
Now over a knee complaint that set him back in 2016, Ebden says his game is more evolved and that age is not a factor.
“For sure I’m a better player, whether on not that shows in rankings yet is to be seen,” he said.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Townsville qualifier John- Patrick Smith fell 6- 4, 7- 5 in his first round clash with German eighth seed Mischa Zverev.
Smith fought hard but was unable to trouble the highly touted Zverev.