25 June 2013 | Tennis West

Playing in his second Wimbledon main draw, 25-year-old Matt Ebden was philosophical when he learned of his first-round opponent.

“He’s obviously a really good player but I don’t think it’s the worst draw I could get and it’s not the best draw I could get.

“But if I’m looking to try get through a few matches you’re going to be in a seeded section somewhere, so there’s probably a lot of other seeds in other sections that could be tougher,” he said regarding his upcoming opener against 11th seed and Japanese No.1 Kei Nishikori.

Currently ranked just outside the top 100, Ebden received a wildcard into the main draw following his win at the Nottingham Challenger.

“I’m really enjoying playing on the grass, I always have, and it’s nice to be finding my game in the last few weeks. It’s definitely a good place to play well.”

With solid preparation on his side and the memory of a five-set scrap with Nishikori at Australian Open 2012 fresh in his mind, Ebden believes he’s a chance of pulling off an early tournament upset.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for me. I obviously played him a couple of years ago at the Aussie Open and I almost had him in straight sets and then he came back and got me in the fifth, so I’ll take a lot of confidence from that.

“I’m just enjoying playing good tennis and just looking forward to playing the best tennis I can in the next week.”