Planning Nadal’s demise

Ebden reckons he’s up to it

TENNIS: Everyone at Melbourne Park is talking about Alex de Minaur’s potential third-round Australian Open showdown with Rafael Nadal.

Everyone except Matt Ebden, that is.

Standing in the way of a possible Friday night blockbuster, Ebden bristled when asked if he hoped to prove a second-round roadblock for No.2 seed Nadal tonight.

In career-best touch and with a top-50 ranking for the first time, Ebden said he’d be silly not to give himself a genuine shot at knocking over Nadal in only the Spaniard’s second tour match since last September.

“My career will show I have the ability to beat the very best guys,” Ebden said.

“I beat quite a few of the top top guys last year and other years, but I’ve also lost to them at times too.

“It will depend on both of us guys, really how we go out there, how we compete.”

Despite his confidence, the world No.48 acknowledged the enormity of the challenge of conquering the 17-time grand slam champion.

“There’s obviously seedings for a reason and Rafa’s earnt that. He’s a beast, he’s a warrior, he’s a great champion,” Ebden said.

“He obviously hasn’t played that much the last few months but he’s still obviously one of the best guys in the draw.

“I’m going to have to execute my game a bit better, be a bit mentally tougher and do some things to give myself the best chance.

“I know what to expect when I’m playing Rafa. I’ve played him.”

Underrated and without the profile of fellow Australians such as de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios, Ebden deliberately took a longer off-season in a bid to peak for the Open.

“To play on Rod Laver (Arena) or Margaret (Court Arena), it will be amazing,” Ebden said.

“It’s why I’m here. Why I play this game. It’s why we have these tournaments, for matchups like these – Aussies at home (against) grand slam champions. It’s what it’s all about, so I can’t wait.”

Nadal or Ebden will play the winner of de Minaur’s secondround clash with Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen.

Journeyman Alex Bolt, meanwhile, was celebrating his first victory at a grand slam tournament after coming from a set down to beat American Jack Sock in the opening round.

The 26-year-old South Australian wildcard won 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 to set up a secondround encounter against French No.29 seed Gilles Simon.