Wimbledon 2017: Brit ace Aljaz Bedene wins marathon five-set thriller against Ivo Karlovic to reach second round
Slovenian-born player beat the veteran Croatian 6-7 7-6 6-7 7-6 8-6 over four and a half gruelling hours
ALJAZ BEDENE provided one of his best Grand Slam performances to win a marathon five-set thriller against big-serving Ivo Karlovic.
Bedene, who was born in Slovenia but qualified for Britain two years ago, refused to buckle against the 6ft 11in Croatian’s power in a clash lasting more than four hours.
Neither player lost a service game until the deciding set as our 27-year-old took all Karlovic could throw at him before beating the veteran 6-7 7-6 6-7 7-6 8-6.
Karlovic, 38, took the first set on a tie-break before Bedene followed suit in the second — and that set the pattern of the match.
But Bedene’s serve looked solid in the fifth and Karlovic began to grow more tired as the set went the distance.
The Brit finally broke to win the match in the 14th game.
RAFAEL NADAL insists he will not be brought to his knees by the Wimbledon turf.
The No 2 seed won his tenth French Open title last month — but admits his dodgy knees make playing on grass tougher because low bounces mean more bending.
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Yet he made easy work of John Millman, beating the Aussie 6-1 6-3 6-2 in his 50th match at the All England Club.
And two-time Wimbledon champ Nadal smiled: “My knees are ready for the second round.
“I’m happy that I am playing here again and in good health.
“Of course I can practise but the only way to find your way on how to play well here is to do matches. Today was a positive one.”
The Spaniard, 31, faces Donald Young next as he bids to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year for a third time, equalling Bjorn Borg.