Tomic given Cup debut

Bernard Tomic has described his Davis Cup call-up as 'a dream come true' as the 17-year-old will not only become Australia's youngest player in 77 years on Friday but will also kick-start the Asia/Oceania tie against Taiwan against a player who has already provided him with his greatest triumph to date.

The teenager will play Taiwan's highest ranked player Tsung-Hua Yang in the opening rubber on Friday, the same player he beat in the 2008 Australian Open boys' final at Melbourne Park.

At No.298, Tomic, who becomes Australia's second youngest Davis Cup player ever and the youngest since Viv McGrath in 1933, is only ranked just ahead of Yang, who is ranked No.330.

Tomic was surprisingly chosen as Australia's second singles player behind veteran Peter Luczak with Carsten Ball - whose singles ranking of 117 is far superior to Tomic's - saved for Saturday's doubles rubber alongside specialist Paul Hanley.

It was expected that Tomic would be saved for Sunday's reverse singles, if Australia had already established a match winning 3-0 lead, and the 17-year-old has vowed not to let his country down after being called up to play a live singles rubber on the opening day.

'I couldn't ask for anything better, this is a dream come true for me,' he said following Thursday's draw.

'To represent your country is a huge thing and when I got that call it was the greatest day of my life.'

Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald admitted it was one of the most difficult decisions of his time in charge to pick Tomic ahead of Ball as the second singles' player for a rubber in which Australia is without its two most experienced Davis Cup players in Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione due to injury.

'Rankings are not everything, it's got a lot to do with the combination of our team,' Fitzgerald said of the decision to pick Tomic ahead of Ball despite Ball being ranked 180 places ahead of him.

'We like to balance our team and share the workload and we want Carsten fresh to play well in the doubles alongside Paul (Hanley).'

Fitzgerald said Tomic, who in 2009 became the youngest player ever to win a senior match at the Australian Open before again reaching the second round at Melbourne Park this year, would relish the big occasion of Davis Cup.

'It's his first experience at this level and this level is like no other but having said that he is a player I think that will step into the role of an important Davis Cup player quickly.'

'He likes the big stage and he has shown that in the past and we believe he is ready to make the step (to Davis Cup).'

Tomic said he is determined to get Australia off to a winning start, knowing that Taiwan's best chance of pulling off a shock win would be if Yang can beat him in the opening rubber given 75th ranked Luczak should easily account for Taiwan's second singles player Chu-Huan Yi, who is ranked 517, in the second rubber on Friday.

'I have played Yang a lot of times (in juniors) so I know what I am up against,' he said.

'But it does give me confidence (having beaten him in the 2008 Australian Open boys' final) and I still remember that day when I won the juniors but I know I will have to play well to beat him tomorrow.'

Yang and Yi will also play doubles for Taiwan on the Saturday against Ball and Hanley while Fitzgerald has also floated the option of Ball - who reached his first ATP tour final in Los Angeles last year - being used for Sunday's reverse singles if the tie is still alive.

Australia must beat Taiwan to advance to the next round of the Asia/Oceania group where it is likely to have another home tie against Japan with a win there to send Australia back into a play-off to return to the world group in September.

SkyNews.com

Debiut trza przyznaĂŚ bardzo udany.WygraÂł takÂże Pioter, wiĂŞc jutro panowie Ball/Hanley powinni przypieczĂŞtowaĂŚ wygranÂą w meczu Aussies.

Tomic makes winning start

Teenager Bernard Tomic made a stunning Davis Cup debut, helping Australia to a 2-0 lead in the tie against Taiwan at Melbourne Park.

The 17-year-old crushed Taiwan's Tsung-Hua Yang in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 on Margaret Court Arena.

The match was a replay of the 2008 Australian boys final, which Tomic also won.

Australia later took its 2-0 advantage in the tie when Peter Luczak beat Chu-Huan Yi 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Tomic's power play and stinging backhand was too much for Yang to handle, as he was continually forced into errors.

"Today was the greatest day, probably, of my life - to play on that court and to win," Tomic said.

"And I played really well. I was up against a player I'd had a lot of tough matches against in juniors and I was lucky I played really well today to beat him.

"I couldn't be much happier. Yang's always played well against me, I've had a lot of three-setters with him, so today to win in three and to win it quite comfortably was good."

Tomic was chosen partly for his brave performance against ninth-ranked Croatian Marin Cilic during January's Australian Open, but he says Davis Cup has provided him with a different outlook.

"Davis Cup is a different atmosphere and I've learnt that today," he said.

"Luckily I handled it pretty well but it was much different to the Open and I'm going to have a lot of experiences like this, I think.

"There's nothing better than to play for your country, especially for me, it's always been my dream and to do it with a team like that behind you, it's unbelievable for me."

ABC.net.au.

NajbliÂższe plany startowe Tomicia (challengery):

KwiecieĂą 12: Rzym
KwiecieĂą 19: Rzym-2

Bernard Tomic qualifies for Wimbledon after beatingr Indian Prakash Amritraj

BERNARD Tomic last night made light of Wimbledon's wildcard snub by sweeping into the main draw by qualifying.

The 17-year-old, rated one of the most promising tennis talents in the world, secured his place with 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-4 win over Indian Prakash Amritraj.

Tomic had applied to the All England Club for a wildcard but was contentiously overlooked.

"It's just great to get through," he said last night.

"This is a dream come true, knowing I'll be playing Wimbledon."

Tomic and Carsten Ball join 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt and fellow Australian Peter Luczak in the 128-man draw for the grasscourt grand slam commencing on Monday.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/berna … 5881143067

Wczoraj Bernard skoĂączyÂł 18 lat, stĂłwa

Australijczyk jest obecnie 129 tenisistÂą Âświata, najwyÂżej byÂł sklasyfikowany na miejscu 209.

ChodziÂło mi o miejsce 219.

2010 w liczbach

Bilans spotkaĂą: 4-6
Ranking: 208 (awans o 80 miejsc, w porĂłwnaniu z rokiem poprzednim)
TytuÂły: 0
FinaÂły: 0
Zarobki: $99,086

Tomic sweats his possible Aussie Open wildcard



The potential Australian Open wildcard for bad boy Bernard Tomic hangs by a thread as Tennis Australia ponders how to deal with their teenaged wild child.

Tomic took his chances at selection for a free entry into the Grand Slam starting January 17 by skipping the wildcard playoffs this month.

He pleaded illness but was soon seen training, a move which did not please the Aussie federation upon whose generosity his entry depends.Tomic presented a medical certificate citing illness.

With wildcard choices now down to the nibs after allotments to Peter Luczak and others, Tomic could well miss out and would then have to play Melbourne qualifying rounds due to his 208 ranking. The former Australian and US Open junior champion has long been at odds with the federation, with both him and
his hot-headed farther John clashing repeatedly with officials over the past few years.

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20101 … n_wildcard

AO 2011 - wywiad po zwyciĂŞstwie w 1 rundzie

Q. Were you a little worried about getting a wild card?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, uhm, well, it was their decision. You know, it was tough to say. I played well in Sydney. So I can't really say much. It was their choice.

Q. Good opponent today, a player with some success in the past. Have you ever served better on the important points than that in a match?
BERNARD TOMIC: Probably not, no. Today I served, you know, solid, but I served really good on the points that I needed to.

Q. The first serve that you sent out you were landing them on the big points quite well. Have you been working on it, or is it just more height?
BERNARD TOMIC: Uhm, well, I've definitely been working on it, and I've also shot up, as well. You know, the taller you are, the better it is for the serve. I think I focused more on those important points than I did on the others.

Q. What is it about playing here? You've hardly had a tour level win, and yet you've had three here. What is it about the Australian Open that brings out your best?
BERNARD TOMIC: I don't know. I get lucky here somehow (laughter).
No, I play down here really good. Amongst the crowd, it's different playing with your home crowd, the way they get behind you. I'm sure the other player feels it, as well. Uhm, you know, I take that to my advantage. The crowd here gets behind me and I play even better, I think.

Q. What have you been working on in your game, given you didn't play a whole lot the second half of last year?
BERNARD TOMIC: I've been working on sort of making the transition of the ball, to hit it harder throughout the point. Sometimes I get in the rally where I play too soft. Against these guys, you need to take the first point and hit it hard. That's what I've been doing and working on the last six months. So really taking the opportunity whenever I get it.

Q. Slice worked well today; seemed to sort of get him off his rhythm a little.
BERNARD TOMIC: My slice is my best shot. That's one that gets me out of trouble that I can hurt players, get it down low. They don't like it low.
Today he didn't like it low. That's what I was using as a weapon.

Q. You approached the net quite a bit early. Is that probably didn't see much of that last year? Is that also something you've been instructed to do?
BERNARD TOMIC: Well, of course. I mean, before I used to, you know, push the ball. It was tough for me to come forward. Now that I'm taking the opportunity and hitting it harder, I've got more chance to which forward off the right ball.

Q. Are you aware of the excitement you're causing? Australia hasn't been doing too well lately.
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, uhm, well, you know, my job is just to play and worry about my game. If others can do well, other Australians, it's good, too. But there's nothing much I can do, just focus on my game.

Q. All the shots that you have, do you think that the physical side of your game just needs to be stepped up a little bit? Is physically getting stronger going to be the most important? You're getting taller, but is the physical side the one thing you need to work on a little bit more?
BERNARD TOMIC: Absolutely. I think, you know, once I build my athleticism, I'll be much better at, you know, controlling points. I think I control the points really good now at my age.
But it's a matter of just, you know, like I've worked on the last six months, taking the short ball on the first chance. That will come if you're athletically fit. I think if my body is feeling fit and can run around the forehand or take that first chance and step in, I think it will develop.

Q. Last year there was controversy. You won your first round. Played a late night match in the second round. What are your preferences this time? Do you want to play in the day or night?
BERNARD TOMIC: Court 21 (laughter).

Q. Seriously? Do you want to be shielded, or would you rather the spotlight there?
BERNARD TOMIC: I don't mind. Whatever they give me. It's up to them. I don't prefer playing on Laver, any of the other courts, Hisense or Margaret. Doesn't bother me.

Q. Some players prefer playing at night because it's a bit slower; others during the day because it's quicker.
BERNARD TOMIC: These courts are pretty slow. What I found on Laver and Hisense, they're pretty slow. Even during the day, they're pretty slow. I think they're the slowest hard courts around. I don't reckon it makes any difference for me if I play at night or day.

Q. Are you sometimes surprised at the publicity you get considering you haven't won a whole lot of matches in your career yet?
BERNARD TOMIC: Well, look, it's tough to say that. I mean, I think I played well as a junior. That's totally different to the senior level. But, uhm, you know, I think I'm stepping up and beating all these players now. I think it's just a matter of time before I win a lot of matches in a row in a tournament.

Q. This one maybe?
BERNARD TOMIC: I'd love to. Depends. I've got a tough next round against LĂłpez. He can play really good and just blow you off the court. I think if I prepare and play well like I did today, I think I've got a good chance.

Q. Do you read the newspapers?
BERNARD TOMIC: I did last year (laughter).
No, I haven't really. No, I haven't.

Q. Do you think the pace of the court might be to your benefit against someone like LĂłpez? Take the sting off his serve a little bit and give you a chance to get into the rallies.
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the faster it is for him the better. The slower, the better for me.

Q. Do you have targets in terms of your development? You're saying you're still young and developing your body. Do you have things you want to achieve by certain ages or times in 2011?
BERNARD TOMIC: It's going to be a new year. I think I'm going to play a lot more tournaments. I think I want to break the top hundred. I think it's tough. But if I play more tournaments this year, I've got a good shot.
But saying that, you can get sick. There's a lot of things going around. If I play, play the way I'm playing the last few weeks, I think my progress will show.

Q. Are you still growing? How tall are you right now?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, I'm getting close to 6'5". I think I've stopped growing. It's just, you know, I'm physically getting wider. Growing is a tough thing. Don't get me wrong. You can play well sometimes, and then you come to the court sometimes in practice and I can't find my ball.
But sometimes, you know, I think when I'm settled and I'm not growing as much, I play better.

Q. You said you're getting wider. Have you put on much weight?
BERNARD TOMIC: Yeah, I used to weigh 86 kilos last Oz Open; now I'm weighing 91. I've definitely got more on me. I'm not saying I'm going to be like a hundred kilos. That's not ideal for a tennis player.
But I think this is my limit now with my weight. I just have to use this weight, where I am now, and just hold it.

Q. There are no teenagers as of now in the top 100. You mentioned the physical aspect of the game. Do you think that's the main reason, because the game is so physical?
BERNARD TOMIC: I think so. It's tough, especially now in the last three years, for such a young player to come in the top hundred. There's a lot of players now that are so physically strong that tennis is becoming so hard. It's just going to continue to get harder.
If you're not physically fit and strong, you got no chance, I think.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/new … 94618.html

Tomic on a tear, to face Nadal

There's no place like the show courts at the Australian Open for Bernard Tomic.

In yet another sterling display in Melbourne, the Aussie teenager stunned 31st seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the second round.

It's the first time that the 18-year-old has reached the third round of the Australian Open, but not the first time he's been impressive on Melbourne's biggest stage. He reached the second as a 17-year-old and last year, he defeated Guillaume Rufin before taking eventual semifinalist Marin Cilic to five sets.

But no showing was more impressive than his brilliant win on Thursday, when he coolly dictated the terms of the match against the former Wimbledon quarterfinalist by mixing and matching his shots.

"That feeling when I won was unbelievable," he said. "It's the first time I've been in the third round. I've been playing some good tennis. I'm really happy with myself. I'm hitting the ball great, he said. "My confidence is up there, especially after two matches."


Tomic came into the contest with a No.199 ranking, but played well above that, keeping his one-handed backhand slice low and true, teeing off with slapping forehands and two-handed backhands after he had lulled Lopez to sleep, and winning every big point that was on his platter.


He gutted out two tiebreaks against a man with far more experience by keeping the imposing serve and volleyer pinned to the baseline and jumped on the Spaniard to get an early break in the third set and held on, not by blowing Lopez off the court with service speed, but by adeptly mixing up his forays.

While Tomic hasn't played a ton since Australian Open 2010, he did play a match in Brisbane at the start of this year (a loss to Florian Mayer) and then won three qualifying matches in Sydney before falling in the first round, which convinced officials that he was deserving of a wild card.

Their decision proved to be the correct one, as Tomic looked like amore mature player in knocking out the dangerous Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the first round and then in dismantling the 29-year-old Lopez in the second round.

While Tomic has to grow into his tall frame, his improved conditioning certainly helps his movement and stroke production.

"I'm definitely physically much stronger and fitter," said Tomic, who finished with 31 winners and only committed 25 unforced errors against Lopez. "I remember last year when I played a first round, even against a qualifier, I wasn't feeling too good in the second round, feeling tired. But here when I played today, I was feeling fresh and energetic."

However, Tomic's prize for the victory may be a Pandora's box as he'll have the pleasure of facing nine-time Grand Slam champion and No.1 Rafael Nadal in the third round on Saturday.

Nadal is aware of who Tomic is and says he has the potential to be a very good player. He knows how it is to be an up and comer and the pressure that goes along with it and expects Tomic to push him.

"Well, is good, no? I think is nice to have a young Australian coming well and having very good talent and very good future. So I'm excited to go on court and to try my best tennis, and for sure to try to win. If I play against local heroes, like I played against Lleyton a few years ago, the crowd was fantastic all the time. For sure the support is always with them, but always with very good respect for me."

Nadal hasn't lost in a major since he retired against Andy Murray in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open and has been swarming his opponents. Tomic plays a different style than most players the Spaniard has faced, but he's going to have to play the match of his life to win it, as Nadal is 10 times the player than Lopez is from the backcourt and is also a more hardened competitor.

But Tomic is excited about the opportunity.

"I'm not going to go and win this match if I go out there and play not to lose," he said. "I've got to play, to win. I believe [I can]. He's the world No. 1. I'll just have a go."

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/new … 72647.html