British Wild Cards Set up Second Round Clash

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Britain’s Jamie Baker and Alex Bogdanovic will meet in the second round of The Artois Championships after making the most of their wild card opportunities on day one at The Queen’s Club.

Baker, the 20-year-old from Glasgow, was a set and 5-3 down before defeating Austria’s Alexander Peya 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 to claim his first career victory on the ATP circuit.

“I was determined to make it more than an hour this year,” said Baker after his win. “It was nearly over, but I hung in there and gave myself a chance to use my weapons. I was pleased about that.

“You have to be aggressive and take your chances when they come around. Against especially top hundred players, because they're so good, you can't just sit back and hope they're going to give you anything because it doesn't happen.”

Baker, who was one of three British wild cards along with Bogdanovic and Richard Bloomfield at this year’s Artois Championships, has been preparing for the tournament from his training base in Saddlebrook, Florida having skipped the clay court season.

“It was mainly physical training,” said Baker. “But they do have some grass courts there, as well. It was a bit of both.”

Bogdanovic, who is making his fourth appearance at The Artois Championships, moved through to the second round after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over former semifinalist Hyung-Taik Lee.

“Obviously it's always going to be a tough match, first match coming in,” said Bogdanovic, who won the Challenger in Valencia in April. “I think he was nervous. I was nervous. But I felt like I did really well just to close it out.”

It will be the first professional meeting between Bogdanovic and Baker, with the winner of that match taking on either three-time champion Andy Roddick or Radek Stepanek in the third round.

“I'm looking forward to it,” added Bogdanovic. “He's a young, up coming player. I know Jamie pretty well. We know each other. He's a great guy. It's going to be a tough match.

“For him to get through his first round match, he was a set down, it's a great thing for him. I think it's a great opportunity for both of us. Whoever gets through maybe has a chance to play Andy Roddick. That would be a great experience.”