Aljaz Bedene
Aljaz Bedene

Wimbledon 2017: Aljaz Bedene overcomes a swarm of flying ants to battle past Damir Dzumhur


Great Britain's Aljaz Bedene beat Damir Dzumhur in four sets amid a swarm of flying ants.

More from Wimbledon


Wimbledon 2017 guide
Wimbledon results/draw
Wednesday's order of play
Day three best bets
Latest Sky Bet odds   

Great Britain's Aljaz Bedene overcame bugs and a Bosnian to reach round three at Wimbledon.

The world number 58 battled past Damir Dzumhur in four sets amid a swarm of flying ants.

Dzumhur is a former child actor and at times Court Three resembled a horror film as the insects descended.

Nevertheless, the British number four kept his composure to swat his opponent aside 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3.

Bedene survived 44 aces from Ivo Karlovic in a four-and-a-half-hour marathon on Monday, but this was an entirely different test.

He broke Dzumhur's opening serve but was immediately pegged back, before snatching the first set with a further break in game eight.

The ants arrived midway through the second, and while both players just about managed to maintain their focus it was Dzumhur who edged the set.

Early breaks were shared in the third but Bedene held his nerve to grab another crucial break to go back ahead 2-1.

Bedene was by now buzzing as he took control of the fourth set to secure victory and a meeting with 16th seed Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

Bedene told the BBC: "I was playing quite solid tennis, he gave me a few easy games which helped, so I'm happy.

"I played my first-round match on Court Three too and this crowd is amazing - without them I couldn't have won that first match or this one.

"I played Muller a few weeks ago, he loves grass and he's a left-hander with a big serve so he's never easy to face, but I'll fight and see what happens."

Like what you've read?

MOST READ

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

Next Off

Fixtures & Results

Fetching latest games....
We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo