Nick Kyrgios is his own worst enemy, insists British hopeful Aljaz Bedene

29 August 2016 09:23

Britain's Aljaz Bedene is happy to let Nick Kyrgios beat himself when they meet in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday.

Kyrgios is considered one of the game's most exciting young talents but the Australian is perhaps better known for his on-court antics and tempestuous personality.

The 21-year-old smashed three rackets in a row during a defeat in Cincinnati last week and after losing to Andy Murray at Wimbledon, he admitted to preparing for the match by playing video games.

On court, Kyrgios is a box of tricks, often combining moments of genius with inexplicable lapses of concentration, which in part explains why he is yet to fulfil his brilliant potential.

Bedene, ranked 77th in the world, shares the same agent as Kyrgios but the comparisons end there, with his cool exterior reflecting a game based on consistency and persistence.

The Slovenian-born British number three, who moved to Hertfordshire in 2008, has never gone past the second round at Flushing Meadows but believes he can capitalise if Kyrgios begins to waver.

"The best players always take advantage," Bedene said. "You have to stay focused and you know those games and those points will come. You just have to grab them.

"It's not easy because it gets quite entertaining. It's funny. It gets interesting, as a player you want to enjoy the match. All those different emotions going through and then a player is playing tricks.

"It's not easy to stay focused but you have to try to play the best you can. Either he can play great tennis or he can go down. He is his biggest enemy."

Bedene was strapping up his right index finger on Saturday and admitted it had given him some pain in practice.

"I did it ripping off one of those tags for the bag when you go on the plane," Bedene said.

"I just ripped it off and it gave me a paper cut. It cut quite deep. It's a little bit painful but I think this tape will work."

Bedene will be one of six British players in action on Tuesday as Andy Murray, Dan Evans, Heather Watson, Laura Robson and Naomi Broady all play in round one.

Evans was arguably given the kindest draw when he landed America's world number 104 Rajeev Ram and the 26-year-old is looking to continue a rise that saw him break the top 100 earlier this year.

"I do sometimes look back and think: 'It's been pretty good, hasn't it?' Then at other times I look forward and think: 'Come on, you can get inside the top 50'," Evans said.

"For sure, a loss on Tuesday isn't a good result. He can beat me, but Tuesday is a good opportunity to put some more points on the board."

While Kyle Edmund and Johanna Konta have both raved about their recent experiences at the Olympics, Evans chose not to play in Brazil, where no ranking points were on offer.

"I don't regret it one bit," Evans said. "I don't think I could have won more than one match there, or two matches, so it was a pointless exercise for me.

"I like playing for my country. But if I'd done the Olympics and then was around 140th next year, I would have been kicking myself."

Robson and Broady play each other in the women's draw while Watson faces Holland's Richel Hogenkamp. Murray begins his tournament against Czech Lukas Rosol.

Source: PA