By Lauren Lynch

(January 20, 2011) Bernard Tomic made an impact at the Australian Open last year beating Marin Cilic and has made it to the third round in 2011 but his next opponent is the World No. 1 on a mission to collect his non-calendar year Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal, at the Rod Laver Arena for the first time. What are his chances? He may have more than you think.

In and out of controversy, Tomic is of Croatian heritage but claims Australia as his home. He has been working to up his fitness levels and strength. He loves having the chance to play in front of the home crowd and because of this he may have an edge over Rafa.

Tomic said to ASAP Sports interviewers at the Australian Open, "Look, the crowds, it's totally different down here in Australia. I think they motivate me even more. It's an unbelievable feeling when you hear them in the back of your brain when you're playing before a point, a big point. You get this energy from them. That's what I feed off of. I love that, playing in Australia with the crowd. It's a true feeling."

He is aware that he is playing a player who has come from three major titles in a row and is performing in "tippy-top" condition. He is also aware that he has a playing style that annoys his opponents which was seen in the 31st seed Feliciano Lopez's response to his slow shots in the second round.

Tomic referred to his playing style. "Look, the way I play, I catch a lot of guys out with not a lot of power. My strengths are, you know, I can find players' weaknesses really quickly. That's what I've always been good at when I was young. I can hit the ball hard, but I don't do it a lot of the time. That's sort the not my game, playing hard. But, you know, I like to play against players, make 'em miss sort of thing."

He really has nothing to lose and he has the opportunity to throw apart Nadal's fast paced game and heavy hitting style.

"I played a left hander before I played him, that's always good. But confidence wise I'm hitting the ball great, I'm hitting good, serving good. I can put confidence now in this next round," Tomic said and added, "I've got to play, you know, to win... I don't think he'll like my game. I think he'll like the players that give him a lot of time, a lot of rally shots. I think the way I mix it up, he's not going to like. But who knows. "



In reality, the odds are against him because he is likely playing a night match which he has expressed dislike for. Nadal has humbly not written him off but said about his preparation for the match, "What can I say different? What can I do different? Practice little bit tomorrow, rest in the hotel, maybe going to the aquarium. I didn't go this year. I go every year. So that's all."

Bernard is young and has a lot of potential in the future if he falls out of tomorrow's match and that is how he feels as well, "I can't believe that I'm playing him. What an opportunity it is to play him, in a third round as well. It's a dream come true. Look, I've got nothing to lose."