Fearless Tomic ready to gatecrash big-four party

Tuesday, 28 June 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters - Bernard Tomic’s authoritative straight-sets demolition of Xavier Malisse on Monday reinforced the notion that the Australian teenager has the right game and the right mind to gatecrash the big-four’s expected Wimbledon semi-final party.

Tomic comprehensively outplayed Malisse 6-1 7-5 6-4 to become the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals since Boris Becker in 1986 and the first qualifier to do so since Vladimir Voltchkov in 2000.

Voltchkov was barely heard of again after his run was ended by Pete Sampras in the semis but Tomic looks to have what it takes to be around for the long haul.

Already assured of ending Lleyton Hewitt’s 11-year reign as Australian number one, Tomic next faces either number two seed and his hitting partner Novak Djokovic or Michael Llodra and if he approaches that match in the same fearless way then he has every chance of pulling off another huge shock.

With Belgian Malisse complaining about his rackets and some early line calls, Tomic was 4-0 up in a flash and duly polished off the first set in 21 minutes. Unfussy, uncomplicated and seemingly completely unfazed by the occasion, Tomic rattled through his service games with barely a blip, hitting deep and confidently whatever the state of the game.