Alex Bogdanovic is just two victories away from a place at Wimbledon after getting his qualifying campaign off to a winning start.
Two wins from Wimbledon for British number two
Alex Bogdanovic is just two victories away from a place at Wimbledon after getting his qualifying campaign off to a winning start on Monday.
The British number two faces qualifying for the tournament for the first time in almost a decade after receiving wild cards into the main draw for the last eight years.
He was denied by the Lawn Tennis Association this year however, despite falling well within their guideline cut-off point of 250 in the world.
Last week at Queen's Bogdanovic, ranked 166th, hit out at the LTA's for their lack of support and vowed to continue his efforts to break into the top 100.
But 26-year-old showed he may need no favours from the LTA with a 6-3 7-6 (7-3) victory over Brazil's Ricardo Hocevar in the first round of qualifying at Roehampton.
Eliminated
Bogdanovic, who has never progressed past the first round at Wimbledon, faces former Queen's finalist Nicolas Mahut his next qualifier.
Fellow Britons Dan Evans and Josh Goodall also successfully came through their respective first round matches, although five others were eliminated.
Evans came from a set down to beat USA's Tim Smyczek 4-6 6-1 12-10 and earn a showdown with Ricardas Berankis, who he lost to in the Davis Cup in March.
And Goodall will face Russian Evgeny Kirillov after he saw off 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3 6-4.
Chris Eaton, who came through qualifying in 2008 to reach the second round, was unlucky after losing out 4-6 6-3 10-8 to Roko Karanusic.
Daniel Cox, David Rice, Josh Milton Alex Ward and Morgan Phillips were also beaten while Dan Smethurst retired after losing the first set 6-0 to Ryler Deheart.
