BRAVE BEDENE LEFT BATTERED

GILLES MULLER was too quick for Aljaz Bedene in the Brits’ favourite Wimbledon sushi restaurant. And Muller left him tasting defeat on court as he ended Bedene’s SW19 campaign. Bedene was getting on a roll at Wimbledon after equalling his bestever Grand Slam performance by reaching round three here. But his run came to an end against 16th seed Muller, who overcame Bedene 7-6 7-5 6-4 on Court No.2. There was nothing fishy about Bedene’s loss – he admitted: “I simply didn’t find my rhythm. I wasn’t playing my best tennis.” Bedene (above) might have had a better chance had he been able to tamper with Muller’s meal when they both ate at Sticks and Sushi restaurant the night before their meeting. He said: “I was trying to, but he’s too quick! He was at the table next to us. So many tennis players eat there.

“Gilles is a great guy. I don’t have any problems sitting next to him. We chat. He’s one of the nicest guys on tour.”

Now he is out of Wimbledon British No.4 Bedene hopes to get his Davis Cup future sorted.

Ljubljana-born Bedene is considering switching back to Slovenia after having his application to represent Great Britain rejected because he had already played three dead rubbers for his country of birth.

Davis Cup captain Leon Smith watched Bedene for the second match running.

And world No.58 Bedene said: “I’ve got a few days off, so hopefully we’ll get a chat.”

RAFA NADAL warned he is playing “fantastic” after winning his 10th consecutive Grand Slam match without dropping a set.

Playing in front of Sergio Garcia and David Beckham on Centre Court, the world No.2 continued his bid to complete a hat-trick of the French OpenWimbledon double by taming Karen Khachanov 6-1 6-4 7-6.

The Spaniard said: “For a while, I played fantastic. The first set-and-a-half I think was a great, great level.”