Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Aljaz Bedene could be the surprise package in Britain’s Davis Cup team after all.  The Slovenian- born world no.48 stages his appeal against the International Tennis Federation’s decision that he is ineligible to play for Britain because he represented his former nation, albeit in a couple of dead rubbers.

If the appeal goes favorably for Bedene then he can augment Leon Smith’s team to face Belgium on the clay of Ghent. Previously he has stated he would not feel comfortable taking the place of somebody like James Ward who has played in the majority of Britain’s matches of late but he is most certainly Britain’s second best clay court player behind Andy Murray and would be a valuable asset.

Smith has made it clear he would be very interested in Bedene’s services should the player get the all clear. Next week he will assist Murray in his clay court preparation on a specially prepared service underneath a rubberized ‘bubble’ roof at London’s Queen’s Club.

Bedene’s mind is currently on the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris where he qualified with a good win over Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz followed by a 7-5, 7-6 victory over Spain’s Marcel Granollers.

Once that is out of the way Bedene will travel to Prague with a Lawn Tennis Association lawyer for the hearing. Talking about his current views on representing Britain he said: “There are so many ifs. I would probably talk to all of the other boys just to see how they feel about me joining the team for the final.

“It would obviously be a big thing for me, a big task as well. As I’ve said, I wouldn’t feel comfortable just going straight in. I would prefer to speak to them. But there are so many ifs so we’ll see. Step by step.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.