Update 6:55 pm. His opponent’s name may draw a blank but world No.5 Robin Soderling knows exactly what to expect from Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden in their Brisbane International quarterfinal.
World No.196 Ebden shocked eighth seed Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4 6-4 on Thursday to reach his maiden ATP quarterfinal.
It was an impressive effort over an opponent ranked 156 places higher than him.
And the reward for Ebden’s biggest win of his fledgling career?
His greatest challenge – two-time French Open finalist Soderling.
The powerful Swede plotted a collision course with the West Australian by holding out German Michael Berrer 6-3 7-6(7) on Thursday.
While Istomin will find Ebden hard to forget after the upset, top seed Soderling was the first to admit he had never heard of the 23-year-old.
Asked if he was familiar with Ebden, Soderling said: “Not really”.
But he already had his guard up against the South African-born giant killer.
“I speak for myself, a couple of years ago when I played top ranked players I played without any pressure at all – and I always enjoyed the matches,” he said.
“To me it was easier to play when I felt I had nothing to lose.
“There is always the possibility that I can lose if I am not 100 per cent.
“I will treat this match like any other match.
“I am very sure I will have to stay focused and play very well [to win].”
Ebden – who arrived in Australia from hometown Durban at 12 – was clearly looking forward to the challenge.
“Robin speaks for himself,” Ebden said.
“He’s five in the world. He’s been in the finals of slams.
“He’s beaten the best there are out there.
“If ever there’s a time I need to test my skills, it’s against a guy like that.”
Ebden picked up where he left off from last year to reach his first ATP quarterfinal in style.
The Perth resident was one of 2010’s big improvers, at one stage climbing from No.331 to a career-best 162 last season.
He was recently rewarded with a 2011 Australian Open wildcard.
He added to his resume on Thursday by downing world No.40 Istomin – the first player from Uzbekistan to crack the world top 50.
Then again, the Delhi Commonwealth Games singles bronze medallist has made a habit of turning heads at the Brisbane International.
He upset world No.28 Jurgen Melzer last year to reach the second round before being ousted by Richard Gasquet.
But Ebden rated Thursday’s triumph as his greatest to date.
“[It is] my best result so far … the quarterfinals of a tour event,” he said.
“I’ve qualified in a slam [2010 Australian Open] but for the quarterfinals of a big event, I haven’t had as big a result so far.
“One of the hurdles breaking onto the main tour is winning main draw tour event matches.”