Simon targets grand slam scalps in 2009
World No.7 Gilles Simon hopes to reach a semi-final or a final in 2009's grand slam tournaments.
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World No.7 Gilles Simon showed he could beat the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in 2008 but now the Frenchman wants to inflict pain on the world's top three tennis players where it hurts the most - the grand slams.
Simon stormed into the top 10 for the first time in '08 on the back of three title wins and a semi-final appearance at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.
But despite his rise into the top echelon of men's tennis, the 24-year-old was left disappointed by a string of sub-par performances in the grand slams.
Last year, Simon failed to make it past the third round of the Australia Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, while he was bundled out in the first round at Roland Garros.
Simon admits he needs to be more consistent in 2009 and said his goal was to push for semi-final or final appearances at the majors, starting with January's Australian Open.
"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," Simon 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 (the world's top four).
"The difference is not on the court when you play against them, because we saw last year I can defeat these players.
"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."
Simon will kick off his preparation for the Australian Open by partnering world No.16 Alize Cornet at the Hopman Cup in Perth - a mixed teams event that kicks off on Saturday.
The third-seeded French will take on Chinese Taipei, Italy and Russia in their group stages.
Australia, who will be represented by a fit-again Lleyton Hewitt and Casey Dellacqua, take on Germany, Slovak Republic and the US on the other side of the draw.
Simon has a current doubles ranking of 278 and admitted both himself and Cornet would be relying on wins in their singles matches in order to reach the final.
