Wimbledon 2016: Quarter-finalist Lucas Pouille set target of second round spot before Championships

Lucas Pouille had never won a match on grass prior to Wimbledon and the French 32nd seed admits he has surprised himself with his run to the last eight.

Pouille had targeted simply a win on this surface before the tournament but was today preparing for a quarter-final meeting with Tomas Berdych.

The 22-year-old, whose best performance at a Grand Slam prior to this year’s Wimbledon was reaching the second round of the French Open (in 2013 and 2016), has surged up the world rankings this season and credits a move to Dubai for his run at SW19.

Pouille is now based in the United Arab Emirates and has seen his ranking soar from outside the top-100 this time last year to his current ranking of 30.

He says a pre-season training camp in Dubai improved his fitness and is a major factor behind his good form this summer.

“My expectation before the tournament was to win one match on grass,” he said. “Now I am very happy.”

Pouille took out Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in the third round before beating dangerous 19th seed Bernard Tomic in five sets to reach this stage.