Davis Cup 2015: Aljaz Bedene in line to make debut for Britain in final

The world No 49 is appealing against a ruling that he cannot play for Britain because he has already represented Slovenia in the competition

(EPA)

Aljaz Bedene, who was born in Slovenia but was granted British citizenship earlier this year, could be on the brink of a remarkable Davis Cup debut for his new country in the final later this month.

The world No 49, who has been based in Hertfordshire since 2008, is confident of winning his appeal in a fortnight’s time against an International Tennis Federation ruling that he cannot play for Britain because he has already represented Slovenia in the competition.

If Bedene’s appeal is successful, Britain’s Davis Cup captain, Leon Smith, will have to decide whether to select the 26-year-old for the final against Belgium in Ghent, which begins on 27 November. Kyle Edmund (world No 106), James Ward (No 143), and Dan Evans (No 263) are the other players in contention for the second singles slot behind Andy Murray. Ward and Edmund are in South America playing in clay-court tournaments to gain more experience on the surface before the final.

All three are ranked well below Bedene, who performs particularly well on clay and is in fine form. He won two matches in qualifying here to reach the main draw of this week’s Paris Masters and beat Spain’s Marcel Granollers 7-5, 7-6 in his first-round match yesterday.

Bedene admitted that he would feel uneasy about being parachuted into the British team for the final. If asked to play, he said he would want to ask other members of the team what they would feel about his selection.

Murray, whose voice in such circumstances would probably be crucial, appears to have made his thoughts clear already, having asked Bedene to practise with him on clay at Queen’s Club next week as part of his own preparations for the final.

“Practising with Andy is always a big thing, so I’m looking forward to it,” Bedene said. “To play with Andy on clay before the Davis Cup final? I couldn’t wish for more.”

As for his possible selection for Ghent, Bedene said: “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. I wouldn’t feel comfortable just going in. I would prefer to speak to them. But there are so many ifs, so we’ll see. Step by step.”

The ITF changed the rules on Davis Cup eligibility so that players cannot now play for a second country even if they have changed their nationality. Bedene, who is being supported by the Lawn Tennis Association, believes he should be allowed to play for Britain because he submitted his application for British citizenship before the new rule was introduced. He played in three “dead” rubbers for Slovenia between 2010 and 2012.

Bedene plans to go to the ITF appeal hearing, which will be held in Prague. “We have a half-an-hour spot to present our case,” he said. “I’m seeing the LTA lawyer next week so I don’t know if he’s going to say most of the things [at the appeal] or whether I’ll be able to say something.”