Alex Bogdanovic bemoaned his lack of killer instinct after slumping to a first-round defeat for the seventh year in succession.

Bogdanovic fell to a 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 defeat to world number 46 Simone Bolelli in a tough match that lasted over three hours.

And the Brit insisted it was a game he let slip.

Bogdanovic said: "It's all about playing the bigger points.

"You know, I had two breakpoints to take it into the decider.

"You just never know - I also had a little mini-break in the first set tie break.

"It's just that next step forward.

"I feel I have to play the bigger points better."

Bogdanovic, who has battled accusations of a lack of commitment throughout his career, produced some excellent tennis to have his Italian opponent on the back foot for much of the contest.

And his display left the Londoner in optimistic mood.

Bogdanovic added: "I've dropped down in the world rankings and now I'm inside 250.

"But I feel like I'm a lot better player than 250.

"I feel like I'm going to finish the year strongly and try to get back inside the 150.

"Hopefully, if I play well, top hundred."

Bogdanovic now has top-class coach Brad Gilbert in his corner thanks to his contacts with the LTA.

And the 24-year-old insists he has no thoughts of retiring just yet, despite his poor run of form.

He added: "I'm still enjoying it.

"I feel I can still get better out there.

"The day I feel like I cannot get any better, that's the day when I think, okay, my time is over.

"But I feel that I'm still young, and there is a lot of things I can improve and get better."