Last Updated: Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:49
Gilles Simon is targeting an improvement in the Grand Slams as he prepares his assault on glory at the Australian Open.
The Frenchman shot up the world rankings in 2008 and currently sits at number seven, but he disappointed at the big four events, failing to reach the fourth round on each occasion.
However he did beat the world's top three players, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, last year and a semi-final appearance at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai was a fitting finale to a superb campaign.
However it is in Melbourne, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and New York that the 24-year-old wants to do his best business in 2009.
"I want to play better in the slams because I played a great year this year but I didn't reach the third round in any slam so that's one of my goals this year," he said.
"The top four players now are very far ahead, even if it's only three places before (me).
"They are really better than us and that's why I have to play good in the slams because that's the difference.
"If I am able to reach a semi-final or a final in the slams, then I'll try to get them."
And Simon is confident that, at any given moment, he could taste success against the best players in the world.
"The difference is not on the court when you play against them, because we saw last year I can defeat these players," he added.
"But I know that during all the year they are far better, so that's the difference. You have to be at the top every week."
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
