Luxembourg's Muller beats Briton Bedene to reach last 16

Tennis - Wimbledon - London, Britain - July 7, 2017 Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller in action during his third round match against Great Britain’s Aljaz Bedene REUTERS/Tony O'Brien

LONDON (Reuters) - Luxembourg left-hander Gilles Muller ended the hopes of Britain's Aljaz Bedene to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time on Friday.

Slovenia-born Bedene received loud support on a sun-baked Court Two but could make little impression against the 34-year-old grasscourt specialist who won 7-6(4) 7-5 6-4.

Bedene was one of four British players to reach the third round - the most for 20 years.

Tennis - Wimbledon - London, Britain - July 7, 2017 Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller shakes hands with Great Britain’s Aljaz Bedene after winning their third round match REUTERS/Tony O'Brien

Muller treated the crowd to sublime serve and volley tennis and won 82 percent of points on his first serve, fully justifying being bumped up from 26th in the rankings to the 16th seed for the men's singles.

He has played 13 sets of singles and doubles in three days, including his five-set win over Lukas Rosol in the previous round, but will now get the weekend off before a possible fourth round showdown with Rafa Nadal.

Tennis - Wimbledon - London, Britain - July 7, 2017 Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller celebrates winning the third round match against Great Britain’s Aljaz Bedene REUTERS/Tony O'Brien

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Tennis - Wimbledon - London, Britain - July 7, 2017 Great Britain’s Aljaz Bedene in action during his third round match against Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller REUTERS/Tony O'Brien