LONDON: Andy Murray has been given less than four hours notice before he faces lucky loser Jordan Thompson in his opening match at the Aegon Championships.
The world No.1 was on course for an all-British clash with Aljaz Bedene at The Queen’s Club before he was forced to pull out with a wrist injury. The world No.54 seemed confident ahead of his Tuesday meeting with Murray. Following his practice session yesterday, Bedene appeared to be relishing the upcoming clash.
“I would prefer to play him in the final, really or semi.” Bedene joked. “ I don’t think there is a good day to play Andy. He’s always going to be dangerous.”
It is unclear as to how significant the injury is and if it will impact on Bedene’s participation in next week’s Eastbourne International. Earlier this year a left wrist injury also forced him to withdraw from a series of tournaments, including the Miami Open.
Replacing Bedene will be 23-year-old Thompson from Australia. Last week he reached the final of the Surbiton Challenger, defeating Denis Shapovalov, Reilly Opelka and Dustin Brown on route. He originally missed out on a main draw spot at Queen’s after losing in the final round of qualifying to France’s Jeremy Chardy.
The upcoming clash will be the first tour meeting between the two players. Murray has an impeccable record against Australian players, defeating them 20 times in a low. The last player from that country to defeat him was Paul Baccanello at a 2005 Challenger event in Vancouver, Canada.
