Dan Evans would have to make it to the quarter-finals of the French Open to meet Dominic Thiem, whose comments about the British number one's professionalism did not go unnoticed.
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Der Standard in April while he took a break from the grind of bubble life on tour, Thiem singled out Evans and Kazakh Alexander Bublik as players benefiting from fewer temptations off court.
"It's difficult to play week after week in these circumstances," said the US Open champion. "There are guys who can take it, for whom life in the bubble is probably an advantage, for example Evans or Bublik.
Evans will have high hopes of achieving another career first on Sunday when he takes on Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic looking for his maiden victory at Roland Garros.
A famous clay sceptic, Evans has been a revelation on the surface this year, beating Novak Djokovic on his way to the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters.
He arrived in Paris refreshed after a few days at home in Cheltenham and has been practising on site since Monday.
Alongside him has been new Argentinian coach Sebastian Prieto, the long-time mentor of Juan Martin Del Potro, who has been guiding Evans for the last month.
Evans spoke glowingly of the early stages of their partnership, saying: "There's been a lot of different stuff talked about on the practice court. Obviously a very different philosophy to what I was used to so it's been good.
"It's been eye-opening. There's been a lot of change but it's been all for the good. I can see the reasons why and I'm enjoying it, looking forward to going onto each session, and that's what's the most important.
"If you're looking forward to going to work each day, it doesn't become very hard. I can see myself improving.
"I've got a tough match in Kecmanovic, really looking forward to getting out there. It's been a little while since my last match. Before you know it you could be back on the grass if you don't focus."
