GLOBE S British No 3 Alex Bogdanovic believes Brad Gilbert can help him break into the world s top 100. Gilbert, who split with British No 1 Andy Murray last month, has been handed the task of fulfilling Boggo s ambition. His attitude is so po

GLOBE'S British No 3 Alex Bogdanovic believes Brad Gilbert can help him break into the world's top 100 next year.

Gilbert, who split with British No 1 Andy Murray last month, has been handed the task of fulfilling Boggo's ambition.

"His attitude is so positive all the time and it rubs off," said the 22-year-old, currently ranked 119.

"Working with him is going to help me a lot and hopefully next year I can break into the top 100."

Bogdanovic has been training with Murray and Gilbert at London's Queen's Club and the trio, along with Miles Kasiri and Alan Mackin, have now departed for a four-week training camp at the Saddlebrook Tennis Centre in Florida.

"Pre-season with Andy and Brad is going to help me a lot," said Bogdanovic. "It helps so much to be playing with a great player like Andy and also to have Brad around.

"Brad is going to give that extra buzz to everyone. Here is a guy who has done it before and produced great players.

"It doesn't matter where you are, even if the atmosphere of a place is not good, Brad's positive attitude gets you up for it and gets the buzz going.

"He's always got something positive to say - it's just fantastic.

"Obviously he's helped Andy a lot and it's also going to help a lot of the other guys just to have him around.

"I'd certainly like to work with Brad in the future. When I get my ranking up there with Andy I'm sure I'll be able to travel with those guys as well."

Bogdanovic reached 119 in the latest world rankings after taking Tim Henman to three sets in the second round of the Thailand Open before reaching the final of the Challenger event in Mons, Belgium.

Although Boggo has been hampered by a number of niggling injuries he is determined to break into the top 100.

"Brad believes I can do it," he said. "He told me that I'm playing really well and have got to keep this momentum going to the end of the year.

"That will really set me up for next year and get me into the main draw of the Australian Open.

Bogdanovic also hopes a rise up the rankings will force him back into Britain's Davis Cup squad. John Lloyd questioned Boggo's temperament following defeat by Ukraine in July and, upon succeeding Jeremy Bates as Britain's captain, immediately dropped him for the next match against Argentina.

"He said I couldn't cope with the pressure, and maybe at the time I couldn't, because everyone expected me to win," said Boggo.

"I want to prove to John that I'm good enough for the team. Maybe he doesn't think I can take the pressure or that I am ready for the team.

"My job is to go out there, get my ranking into the top 100 and prove to him that I want to be part of his team. I'm sure I will get back in sooner or later. I've just got to keep working hard - I know there's a lot of work to be done.

"The better I play, the more he's got to have to think about whether he wants me in the team or not. I would love to play Davis Cup.

"It's always been part of me and in Andy, myself and a couple of other guys who have been doing so well, it's going to be a great team for the future."

patmooney@hamhigh.co.uk