Nieminen is hoping to make the draw of the Australian Open

Former world number 10 Jarkko Nieminen cruised to victory over Birmingham's Daniel Evans in the second round of the Caversham ATP Jersey Open.

The Finn controlled the tempo of the match and beat Evans, who won the Les Ormes tournament in March, 6-4 6-2.

Nieminen has injured his groin at the Australian Open, broke his wrist and then contracted swine flu this year.

The 28-year-old told BBC Jersey: "I've had an awful year, a lot of bad luck. It's been a bad joke."

"This is my fifth tournament back and I'm feeling good, I just need some matches."

I try to make the main draw, so I have to win some more matches to keep up my seed points Jarkko Nieminen on his Australian Open hopes

Nieminen said the match against Evans was just what he needed.

"It's just what I am looking for, this is a smaller tournament than I am use to, but all the guys are very hungry and they play good tennis," he noted.

"I still have to play really well and that's why I came here."

Having had to retire in the first round of the 2009 Australian Open, Nieminen said that the tournament in January next year is his goal.

"I try to make the main draw, so I have to win some more matches to keep up my seed points," he said.

"I still have three more tournaments after this and I'm feeling better and better every day."

Nieminen next faces his countryman and doubles partner Henry Kontinen in the quarter-final stage on Friday.

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