Jamie Baker must cook up a storm to get to the next level

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Jamie Baker must cook up a storm to get to the next level

JAMIE BAKER is relishing the prospect of facing world No.29 Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round of the Aegon International Championships at Eastbourne today.

The Glaswegian achieved a career-best victory over world No.50 Donald Young in the first round of the final Wimbledon warm-up event.

Now he will attempt to defeat the man who only last week, in Halle, upset Rafael Nadal in his own tennis highlight.

Baker has no doubt about the size of the task that awaits him.

He said: "Philipp Kohlschreiber is a quality player who has been in and around the top 20 in the world rankings for the last few years.

"He has a pretty good all-court game with a fine single-handed backhand and it is going to be a tough ask.

"He just beat Nadal at Halle last week and he will be full of confidence but what matters for me is that I go out there and be as aggressive as I can be.

"The big plus in playing him is that he does not have the really big game of the likes of Tsonga, who I faced last week at Queen's.

"But he is very consistent and very skilful and it will be important to match his aggression."

Baker's victory over America's Young on Monday will help him move his world ranking up from 200 to another new high in next week's ATP rankings.

There is no doubt about the confidence boost he has taken from his triumph. The 25-year-old said: "In the past, when I have played these guys, I have maybe not played with the belief I should have. Now I know exactly what I am going to do and that is to try and be the aggressor first as often as I can.

"Kohlschreiber is another great match-up for me to try and keep playing the brand of tennis that will take me to the next level."

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