Aljaz Bedene had qualified for the Main Draw in ATP 500 Beijing without much difficulty, but crashed out at the first hurdle.
On a day when seeded players were falling, the Brit found the opponent to be Lukas Rosol. Bedene got off to a great start, breaking Rosol early in the match, keeping his points behind the first serve high and not giving up the set without a fight.
In fact, Rosol was struggling to get anything on the serve of the Brit as the set was soon in the bag for the British number two, with Bedene taking the set 6-1
Second set
Into the second set and the Czech player began to find his game, with the Brit still creating break points on Rosol, he managed to save all three that Bedene carved out. Rosol was still however, unable to create break points on the British player's serve. Both players were playing good tennis and inevitably the set headed into a tiebreak. Just like the main part of the set the players were difficult to seperate, with them going toe to toe, until Bedene blinked. The Czech player had levelled the match, taking the breaker 8-6.
Final set
In the final set Rosol finally seemed to have gotten a handle on the Bedene's serve, earning break points for the first time in the match. The Brit was not going down without a fight and managed to save some break points. The players exchanged a break of serve before Rosol secured the one needed to seal the win, and knock Bedene out of Beijing, ending representation in the singles.
Mons Challenger
James Ward had lost his last 11 matches, in fact he had not won a match since his epic Wimbledon run. After going out in the first round last week in Orleans, Ward was desperate for a win. A win which would give him much needed confidence going into the winter months.
The main draw in Mons pitched him up against Australian John-Patrick Smith, who had beaten the Brit the last time they met. The first set proved to be a close one with neither player able to break serve. The Brit came closest, as he generated one opportunity, but the Aussie saved it.
The set found itself in a tiebreak and the players exchanged mini breaks, before the Brit took control and raced into a 6-3 lead. Ward then took the one remaining point needed in the tiebreak to lead by a set.
Second set sets up Ward for victory
As the second set started the Brit got the early break, only to be broken back next game. This only seemed to fire things up however as Ward managed to break again when Smith double faulted on break point. From here on in, the Brit only needed to hold serve for the rest of the set, and he would end his losing streak. The score did move 5-3, meaning that Ward had match point, only for Patrick Smith to save it, meaning that the Englishman would serve for the match.
Final game
With Ward having lost the last 11 matches he played the Brit would need to keep his nerve to serve out for the match. At 40-0 he had three match points, but Smith was not going away easily and managed to save two of the match points. However, the Australian was unable to save the third as Ward ended his losing streak and won his first match since Wimbledon. Ward had said at the Davis Cup semi final that he was determined to make himself first choice for the second singles spot and if he can keep winning and play with the confidence he showed, the choice for Leon Smith will get even more difficult.