Aljaz Bedene looking for French Open upset against Novak Djokovic
Sunday 29 May 2016 10:48, UK
Aljaz Bedene insists he is not fazed by the prospect of playing world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round of the French Open at Roland Garros.
The British No 2 earned his place in the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a five-set victory over Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta on Thursday.
That victory sets up a clash with 11-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic in a match which is certain to take place on one of the two biggest courts at Roland Garros.
"I love big crowds," said Slovenian-born Bedene.
"I won a lot of Italian Challengers, and every time you play the final there are 1,000, 2,000 people, which is a lot for Challengers.
"So I did learn a few things. I know this stadium is bigger, but still you have to come from somewhere."
Despite coming through a challenging second-round match against qualifier Steve Darcis, Djokovic is yet to drop a set in this year's French Open.
And the Serbian is expecting more of the same against Bedene, who is being coached in Paris by Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.
"He's a good guy," Djokovic said of his third-round opponent.
"He's very talented and has a very quick motion for a first serve. So I'm expecting a tough one. I know he doesn't have anything to lose."
After the second round, Bedene was third in the aces chart behind Ivo Karlovic and John Isner after blasting 23 against Carreno Busta alone.
The 26-year-old also credits his impressive performances in Paris to improved fitness, which he has worked hard on under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Martin Skinner.
"I was really, really unfit when I started to play Grand Slams," Bedene said.
"Whenever I played a fourth set, I was just losing them quite easily. I remember once at the US Open, I lost 6-0 and I was struggling. I really wanted to improve on that.
"When I employed Martin, my fitness level went up. It obviously helps not only in the fifth set but also in the other tournaments."
Should Bedene pull off the win of his life, he would join Andy Murray in making history for Britain. In the Open era, there has never been more than one British man in the fourth round at the French Open in the same year.
