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Tomic sets sights on top 10

Troubled Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic aims to use the Hopman Cup as a springboard towards a top 10 ranking in 2013.

The 20-year-old will finish 2012 ranked No.52 after dropping from a career high No.27 in June, and he is hoping a new summer program will help regain some momentum.

"I’d like to reach the top 10 by the end of the year. I’m sure if I do the right things and commit like I’ve agreed to myself I’ll do quite well but I’ve got to focus," he said.

"It’s tough, you're going to lose some matches but as long as I keep my head down and work the way I’ve been working the last two months then I’ll get results.

"This year was a big learning year for me, it was one of my biggest years so far and it wasn’t the underdog feeling I had in 2011 when I did well at Wimbledon.

"There were some tournaments to defend and I got used to the pressure (but) I didn’t quite handle it well.

"I feel I learnt a lot this year and it’s going to help me a lot for the start of 2013."

Tomic trained on the Perth Arena court this morning and said he felt the new venue made the Hopman Cup an ideal lead-up tournament to next month's Australian Open.

"I wanted to make a change, the last three years I spent playing (the Brisbane International) and I got a bit used to that so I felt like coming here would be better preparation, playing against more top players and have more matches," he said.

“Hopefully I can play well here, it’s a great tournament and I'm sure I’ll get the best out of this week.

"It’s one of the nicest arenas I’ve ever played on. It’s beautiful, it’s different, I cant wait to play here in front of the crowd."

Tomic will begin his Hopman Cup campaing tomorrow night, partnering 16-year-old Ashleigh Barty against fifth-seed Tommy Haas and Andrea Petkovic of Germany.

Barty was a late replacement for local hope Casey Dellacqua, who was forced to pull out with a foot injury.

Tomic said he was looking forward to playing alongside one of Australian tennis' fastest-rising stars.

"I’m excited, she’s a great girl, she’s really talented and it will be a good matchup," he said.

"We’ll see how we go tomorrow night and maybe we can pull off a win."