Aljaz Bedene beaten in round one at Barcelona Open

British No 2 Aljaz Bedene has been knocked out of the Barcelona Open in round one, losing in three sets to Russian qualifier Karen Khachanov.

The 26-year-old Slovenia-born player was beaten 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-2) in two hours and six minutes by Khachanova, who is ranked 79 places below him.

A single break of serve decided each of the opening two sets, before both players were broken in the decisive third.

Bedene, the world No 59, then wasted a match point at 30-40 in game 12 before Khachanov raced into a 4-0 lead in the deciding tie-break which he sealed for the loss of just two points.

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The 19-year-old Russian will now face Roberto Bautista Agut who had a bye into round two.

Meanwhile, the even younger Alexander Zverev won the all-German battle against Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-3. Zverev, who turns 19 later this week, needed just 69 minutes to reach the second round.

Eight-time winner Rafa Nadal, who won in Monte Carlo on Sunday, is the top ranked player in the tournament while defending champion Kei Nishikori is the No 2 seed.

Only once during the last 19 years has the final not involved at least one home country player.