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Andy Murray prepares to meet Aljaz Bedene for the first time

Friday 17 June 2016 18:36, UK

Andy Murray began with victory over Nicolas Mahut at Queen's Club
Image: Andy Murray began with victory over Nicolas Mahut at Queen's Club

Andy Murray meets Aljaz Bedene at Queen's Club on Thursday, his first match against another Brit in more than 10 years.

Britain's top two ranked tennis players won their first round matches at the Aegon Championships on Tuesday and will now clash in the last 16.

Given Murray's standing at the top of the game for so long, it is a surprise that it has taken so long to face a fellow countryman although should he beat Bedene, British number three Kyle Edmund could await him in the quarter-final.

Thursday's showdown will be the first time Murray has played Bedene competitively having hit with the 26-year-old in practice, but it's also his first meeting with another Briton since a defeat to Tim Henman in Bangkok in 2006.

Murray was just 19 when he last faced a fellow Brit - a defeat to Tim Henman in Thailand in 2006
Image: Murray was just 19 when he last faced a fellow Brit - a defeat to Tim Henman in Thailand in 2006

"It's amazing really. I think maybe Tim is the only one that I ever played. I never played Greg (Rusedski) in a competitive match," Murray said.

"I played Tim a few times but it's been a long wait really."

Bedene was born in Slovenia but has lived in Hertfordshire since 2008 and trains at Welwyn Garden City.

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Aljaz Bedene of Great Britain
Image: Aljaz Bedene will play Murray for the first time on tour

He was granted a British passport in March 2015 but has failed with repeated attempts to be allowed to represent GB in the Davis Cup as he played three dead rubbers for Slovenia between 2010 and 2012.

Bedene has also been working recently with Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, a long-time confidante of Murray's and his exclusion has drawn sympathy from some members of the British team, including Murray but the world number 58 is relishing the chance to showcase his talents.

"Probably Andy will play a few mind games on me, he's good at that," Bedene said.

Andy Murray (L) and Aljaz Bedene (R) practised during Great Britain's Davis Cup match with Japan earlier this year
Image: Murray (L) and Aljaz Bedene (R) practised during Great Britain's Davis Cup match with Japan earlier this year

"I'm kidding, he's a great guy. We'll probably say a few words. But all the top guys are true professionals, you basically never see them on-site.

"They are practising, then go back and rest. So, yeah, it's game on now. I don't see any better court to do that than a court in England, one of the biggest courts.

"I'm just going to try and play my best tennis and show myself basically."

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