Tomic wary of big-serving Simon

Bernard Tomic is under no illusions as to the size of his task as he looks to reach the semi-finals of the Sydney International against the big-serving Gilles Simon.

Tomic sent third-seeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber packing on Wednesday night but now must overcome the experienced Luxembourg left-hander, who’s ranked 45th in the world.

The Queenslander is the last remaining Australian in a tournament that has been kind to him in recent years.

He won the 2013 event and last year lost in the final to Juan Martin Del Potro, who he’s on course to meet again if he reaches the decider for a third time.

Simon has beaten Tomic in all three of their meetings, including a four-set win at the 2009 Australian Open.

The pair’s last encounter was a three-setter at Indian Wells in 2012 in which Tomic capitulated 6-0 in the decider having claimed the opening set.

Although he feels he’s playing better now than 12 months ago Tomic is well aware of the problems posed by the wily Simon.

“It’s not easy playing him,” he said.

“He’s a very difficult player to face. His serves are very good and he’s a left hander, so it’s very tricky.”

Simon booked his spot in the last eight by coming from a set down to beat seventh-seed Jeremy Chardy in a match that also finished after 11pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

“We both finished pretty late, so it’s now about recovering and getting back to feeling as good as I can until tomorrow’s match,” Tomic said.

“But I take a lot of motivation from this tournament and what it’s given me in the past.

“The opportunity to play for the title last year and winning in 2013. So for me I feel so comfortable on this court.”

The women’s semi-finals also take place on Thursday with defending champion Tsvetana Pironkova, who once again has had to go through qualifying to reach the main draw, facing second-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova.

The Bulgarian beat Kvitova at this stage last year and is the second match up on Ken Rosewall Arena after Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic and last year’s beaten finalist Angelique Kerber do battle.

Wildcard Del Potro continues his quest to climb up the rankings following an 11-month injury lay-off when he kicks-off proceedings on the showcourt against qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan at 3pm.

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