In the end, Australian teenager Brydan Klein achieved his hastily revised goal in his Brisbane International first round clash with fifth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych.
Unfortunately for the 2007 Australian Open boys’ champion, his modest target was simply taking a game off the world No.20.
After a whirlwind first set that lasted just 24 minutes, the nervous WA youngster was finally able to soak up just his second ATP appearance before falling 6-0 6-4 in little over an hour.
“I was just kicking myself (after the first set) and telling myself `Just get a game, come on’,” said Klein.
“I definitely wouldn’t have been happy if I got wiped again in the second set.
“It’s not a great start for me (but) I’m not too disappointed.”
Organisers raised eyebrows when they overlooked the likes of Australia’s second highest ranked player Chris Guccione to hand wildcards to rising stars Klein and Bernard Tomic at Brisbane.
On paper there has been little reward for the bold move with Klein joining fellow Australian Open boys’ champion Tomic on Australia’s growing casualty list at the event.
Klein’s departure ensured journeyman Joe Sirianni was the remaining Australian in the men’s draw – he plays France’s Michael Llodra later on Tuesday.
But world No.248 Klein was trying to look on the bright side after his less than ideal start to the year.
“It was a bit of a nightmare start. He played really well and I wasn’t sure what to do by the end of the set,” he said.
“I’m glad I turned it around a little in the second and came back a bit.
“I guess when I look back it was pretty fun.”
When Klein finally broke his duck in the second set, he raised his arms in relief as the home crowd cheered.
Klein said he was finally able to enjoy playing at Pat Rafter Arena “even if you are getting wiped on the court”.
Klein – who hopes to hover around the top 100 by year’s end – will next head to qualifying for next week’s Sydney International before focusing on the Australian Open.
In other news, Spain’s former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, lost his first round clash 6-3 7-6 to France’s world No.60 Florent Serra on Tuesday.