Matt Ebden is targeting a seedings spot for the US Open following his encouraging Wimbledon run.
The 30-year-old crashed out in the third round to Frenchman Gilles Simon on a disastrous day for Australia that saw all five players left in the draw lose.
Ebden went down 6-1 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-2) but at least showed some fight, forcing a tiebreak in the fourth set after breaking Simon when he was serving for the match.
He couldn't quite earn a maiden spot in the last-16 of a grand slam but with his ranking projected to rise to 43 next week the West Australian is targeting a top-32 position which would give him a seeding for next month's US Open.
"It was a tough match and one I could have won," Ebden said.
"I have beaten him twice before, but he was very good and played very well. He projected his serve very well.
"I did some things well, but it wasn't enough. It's very disappointing."
"I am improving I am getting better and better, even in a result like that it shows what I need to do to improve."
Just being involved in slams is no longer enough for Ebden, who has spent much of his career in the lower echelons of the top-100.
"I have to be nice to myself and be sort of happy that I am in the top 50 and into the 40s," he said.
"Had I won this (Simon) I could have been in the 30s and had I won a match in Halle a few weeks ago I would have been in the 20s. Things can happen very quick.
"The seedings for a slam, that is what I was thinking seven years ago but it never happened.
"I have points to defend in Newport in the States which I would love to win. I love the hard court season and if I can continue where I have left off at Wimbledon it is a realistic target."
