PORTOROZ, August 15, 2019

Home favourites Aljaz Bedene and Blaz Rola booked their spots in the quarterfinals of the Zavarovalnica Sava Slovenia Open. After a hard-fought second-round win against Illya Marchenko, top seed Bedene cruised past Sasikumar Mukund of India in only 56 minutes on Thursday.

The World No. 90 outpointed his opponent 56-39 to secure a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

“If you only play for an hour, you have to be satisfied,” Bedene said. “I felt much better than I did yesterday. I’m here to improve day by day, just match after match. I’ll have to play even better in the quarterfinals.”

Bedene will next take on Lukas Klein from Slovakia. The 21-year-old upset his compatriot and fifth seed Filip Horansky 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Klein closed the match out after one hour and 57 minutes.

Earlier in the evening, Blaz Rola remained untroubled in his 6-1, 6-4 win over Aldin Setkic from Bosnia and Herzgovina. The No. 3 seed from Slovenia struck seven aces and saved all six break points he faced to prevail after one hour and 13 minutes.

“I am pleased with this win today,” Rola said. “I used to change the rhythm a lot. I’m feeling good in Portorož, but I’m not thinking more than just the next match. Good results this year came from a good game. I am very pleased with the season and I hope I will be able to keep it up in the future.”

Up next for Rola will be No. 8 seeded Russian Roman Safiullin, who defeated Carlos Gomez-Herrera of Spain 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 28 minutes.

Meanwhile on Court C, Zdenek Kolar knocked off 2017 champion Sergiy Stakhovksy from the Ukraine by the score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The 22-year-old from the Czech Republic converted six of his seven break point opportunities to advance after one hour and 54 minutes. Kolar will oppose Viktor Durasovic of Norway, who beat Altug Celikbilek from Turkey 6-3, 6-2 in only 53 minutes.