Bedene boosts the Brit charge
BuoYED by a steady flow of partisan backing on Court no 3, Aljaz Bedene beat Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur to move into wimbledon’s third round for the first time.
Slovenian-born Bedene, now a British citizen, then revealed he may try once more to turn that strong current of support into a mighty wave.
Bedene plans talks after the tournament with Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith so it is likely that he
will make another bid to represent his adopted country. The International Tennis Federation have so far denied Bedene but at his last appeal in March it was hinted that next time he could succeed.
‘I’m speaking to Leon after Wimbledon. I can’t say anything more,’ Bedene said.
On this evidence the 27-year- old would be a fine addition to Smith’s pool.
‘I probably wouldn’t have done it without the fans,’ said the world No 58. ‘I was a little tired. They helped me when it was tough.’
Bedene won in a time nearly two-and-a-half hours quicker than he took to beat Ivo Karlovic in the first round and, with the sun beating down, he will be thankful for that.
His next opponent Gilles Muller was on court an hour longer, beating Lukas Rosol 9-7 in the fifth set.
Bedene has already shown his mental strength and certainly dealt better with an attack of flying ants than Dzumhur, who complained about erratic ball bounces, possibly caused by the insects.
He was also vexed by Bedene’s coaching box, taking issue with their applause for an error that won Bedene a crucial point.
The volume of support will be significant again when Bedene meets Muller, though he does not expect to be on Centre Court. A productive chat with Smith and that may change in future.