Bedene wins five-set epic

ALJAZ BEDENE’S nationality has been subject to much scrutiny but there was no doubting who the crowd on Court 3 were rooting for in this monster tie. It was destined to stretch on and on but Bedene conjured a break against Ivo Karlovic’s near-impenetrable serve to claim victory before dusk turned to dark. Memories of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut’s 2010 epic on these grounds were creeping back but after four hours and 25 minutes, the British No 4 claimed the match’s first break by driving a backhand down the line. And when Karlovic failed to make contact, the roar was rapturous. This 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (9-7), 8-6 win over the 21st seed will go down as one of the finest in Bedene’s career. It required mental strength as ace after ace rained down — 44 for the Croatian — and no little physical application as Bedene sped around court trying to find a way through. His passing shots to counter Karlovic’s net rushes were frequently as daring as they were accurate. Ultimately, it was a shoot-out of serves, the pair becoming the first to feature in a match of four tie-breaks at Wimbledon since 2002. They exchanged 399 points with only four rallies lasting more than nine shots and only 13 break points. The 27-year-old grabbed the golden opportunity on his fifth chance against a man 11 years his senior with both hands, delivering a double-backhand that triggered home celebrations. Some, notably Dan Evans, may consider warmth awkward given Bedene has spoken of switching back to his native Slovenia to compete at the Olympics. But he is wrapped in British culture and has the citizenship to prove it.