Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene is just one win away from his first ATP title at the Argentinian Open.
Bedene, who is unseeded in the tournament, has enjoyed a dream run. Earlier in the week he scored wins over third seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas and fifth seed Diego Schwartzman. He continued his winning streak on Saturday with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, triumph over Federico Delbonis. Hitting 15 aces and breaking his opponent five times during their semi final clash.
“I’m happy with the way I am playing and I am happy to be playing on the clay again.” Said Bedene.
Prior to this week, the 28-year-old has only won one match in three tournaments played in 2018. His decision to play on the South American clay courts was more about his health than scheduling. In recent months the Slovenian has been troubled by a knee injury, which forced Bedene to retire in his last match of 2017.
“I’ve had some problems with my knee. That is why I chose to play on clay, it’s easier on my knee.” He explained.
“I think it has been a good week. I like Buenos Aires and so far, so good.”
Bedene’s opponent in the final will be world No.6 Dominic Thiem, who is yet to drop a set at the tournament. Thiem’s semi-final match saw him breeze past Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-2, in just over an hour. Continuing his unbeaten run against the Frenchman (not counting walkovers).
“I wanted to play for Britain”
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The past 12 months have seen Bedene return to his original nationality of Slovenia in ATP competition. He became a British citizen in 2015 and had been based in the country since 2008. The swap was triggered by a lengthy legal battle between him and the ITF.
In 2015, the year he started representing Britain, the ITF changed their regulations concerning the Davis Cup. Stating that a player cannot represent more than one country in the tournament during their career. Backed by the British LTA, Bedene appealed against the ruling due to the fact he made his nationality change before it came into effect and he was not given enough notice about it. Something that the governing body rejected. Ending his hopes of playing in the British Davis Cup team and representing them in the 2020 Olympic Games.
“I really wanted to play for Great Britain, but it was two months too late. The ITF did want to make an exception, although me and the LTA did everything right.” He told reporters on Saturday.
“At the end I really wanted to play in the Davis Cup and hopefully at the Olympics in 2020. (This is) why I went back to playing for Slovenia. “
Bedene will take on Thiem at 17:00 GMT on Sunday. It will be the second meeting between the two this season. The first was at the Doha Open, which the Austrian won 7-5, 6-4.
