Bernard Tomic takes three-set win over Blaz Kavcic to progress to Sydney quarter-final Bernard Tomic on his way to victory over Blaz Kavcic. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images CONTROVERSIAL tennis star Bernard Tomic says he's learning to tune out the "haters," and insists the vast majority of Australians are behind him. Ranked among this country's most polarising elite athletes - think Anthony Mundine, Harry Kewell and James O'Connor - Tomic moved a step closer to defending his Sydney International title yesterday with a three-set win against Slovenian Blaz Kavcic at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre. Playing in front of a crowd that included his father John and Olympian James Magnussen, the 21-year-old continued a rollercoaster few months that has seen him couple a series of driving misdemeanours in his souped-up BMW with the tag of 'No.1 Toolie' in November. Yet when asked if he felt the Australia public was behind him, Tomic replied: "Yeah, I do. I have huge support playing in Australia and have done for the last few years. Since I was 15. Yes, there are people out there who don't like you -- obviously. For what you're doing, the privileges you have, and it's difficult for them to see you on top. But like I say, you're always going to have haters out there. I'm just trying to do my job, trying to play well, especially in Australia, and keep improving. That's my goal. Bernard Tomic says he is happy with his form after beating Spaniard Marcel Granollers in straight sets on the road to defend his Sydney International title. While debate surrounds his popularity among Aussie sports fans, Tomic yesterday continued his unbeatable form in this Sydney tournament, overcoming a brief rain delay to beat Kavcic 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 on Ken Rosewall Arena centre court. While the crowd for Tomic's match was again noticeably underwhelming, it did include both Olympic swimmer James Magnussen, who cheered his mate to victory in this same tournament last year, and Tomic's father John -- who is banned from attending ATP tournaments for a year after assaulting his son's practice partner Thomas Drouet. Wearing black jeans, black T-shirt, even black aviator sunnies -- perhaps not inappropriate for the undisputed bad guy of Australian tennis -- Tomic senior was himself hovered over by a tournament official who, unmistakable in his bright orange official polo, sat to his left by the aisle, four empty seats between them. Blaz Kavcic plays a backhand against Bernard Tomic. Approached by The Daily Telegraph during a brief rain delay, an affable Tomic senior shook hands and asked "what can I do for you?." When told an interview he replied, "no" and headed off to grab a coffee. Out on court, his son was just as clinical. Despite suffering a scare in the second set, the 21-year-old eventually beat Kavcic in three. So does winning help with his reputation? "Yeah, I think it does," he continued. Because if you're winning, it's going to put a zip to everyone -- so hopefully I can keep winning. Bernard Tomic celebrates his win against Blaz Kavcic. Obviously there here has to be a strong attitude too, wether you're winning or not. You have to have that attitude and everyone is different, different personalities . . . and I've got my own. During the rain delay, Tomic was seen throwing tennis balls in a bid to stay yet, on return, was immediately broken by Kavcic. "It's very difficult when the rain comes," the Aussie conceded. It's tough to get that momentum back and unfortunately I was broken straight away. It is something I will have to work on to make sure I am better prepared next time. Elsewhere, tournament top seed Juan Martin del Potro has also progressed to the quarter-finals -- rallying from a set down to beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in his first match of the year. Blowing a kiss to the heavens afterwards, which has become something of a ritual, the Argentinian then revealed he was "not feeling 100 per cent" with his Wilson racquets, with a change in the offing. "I was trying a different racquet during the off-season and was close to change, but I'm not feeling 100% at the moment," he said. Me and Wilson want to change really soon. Having received a first-round bye, Argentina's world No.5 next plays Radek Stepanek on Thursday for a spot in the semi-finals after the Czech Davis Cup hero defeated Spaniard Albert Ramos 6-2 7-6 (7-5).