Having enjoyed the best season last year since turning pro a decade ago, Pakistani ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, besides setting his sights on the Beijing Olympics, has targeted finishing in the top-100 at the end of the 2008 season.

Having started the year ranked 399 in the world, Qureshi's brilliant wins over world No 11 Richard Gasquet in Halle and No 38 Mardy Fish in Newport, besides his maiden Challenger title in New Delhi, saw the 27-year-old pro reach a career-high 125 by the end of 2007. For the record, Qureshi also won five Challenger doubles titles, four of them with India's Rohan Bopanna.

The assassination of his country's former premier, Benazir Bhutto, may have robbed Qureshi -- who was due to play the qualifiers here -- of some valuable ATP points, but Qureshi was unperturbed. Competing in the doubles alongside new partner Marin Cilic, the affable Pakistani spoke to Deccan Herald on a variety of topics. Excerpts:

What was the key to the turnaround in fortunes in 2007?

It's just that I'm approaching the game in a different manner now. I started taking one day at a time and started working even harder. I think it is paying off. I've matured now. Before, I used to underestimate my potential and my game. This year, I have been going out with one attitude – to go all out every day. It is paying off and I just have to learn from 2007. I'm looking forward to this year and I'm sure it is going to be better than 2007.

How different was your approach before?

When I was playing against higher-ranked players, I used to give them lot of respect. Even when I was getting close matches against them, I still used to lose them. But I have been able to turn everything around. I think you just need a break and keep believing in yourself. Once you have a good week, then you can get on. I think beating Gasquet in Halle and qualifying there gave me the breakthrough. After that win, I really started believing in myself. Every player needs that breakthrough and I'm glad that I was able to achieve it last year. I learnt a lot and won my first ever Challenger title in (New) Delhi. I have been doing well in doubles as well. Playing with Rohan (Bopanna) is really good and gives me also lot of confidence, winning matches. That has helped a lot in my singles as well.

Do you think you are ready to compete with the top players now?

I think so. I think there is not much of a gap between the top-100 and the top-10 players. I think it is possible. You saw Baghdatis losing to a player who is ranked 120 this week. It depends on how you perform that day. I cracked the top-100 in doubles and I believe I can do it in singles as well.

What about your partnership with Bopanna, is it going to be long-term?

Definitely. We played eight tournaments in 2007 and we made seven finals and won four and lost three. The winning ratio is unbelievable. The win yesterday (with Marin Cilic) really helped me to prove my doubles ranking also. We (Bopanna) have a good chance of playing the Australian Open. I really believe if we keep playing well, play the higher tournaments we can do really well together. It is going to help our doubles career for sure. He is a good friend of mine. I'm really looking forward to the Aussie Open and really hope we get into the main draw.   I'm sure we can do some damage.

What are your goals for 2008?

First is to crack the top-100 in singles. But the main goal is to play the main draw in all the Grand Slams and represent my country in the Olympics. For that, I have to be top-100 in singles and I'm only 25 spots away. I'll do my level best to get into the Olympics.