Alex Ward battles through to Preston quarter-finals

Alex Ward fought past compatriot Neil Pauffley in the second round of the Aegon GB Pro-Series Preston in just under three hours to seal his place in the final eight.

Ward, 22, staved off two match points when 5-6 down in the final set to come through with a 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(2) victory at South Ribble Tennis Centre.

“The tennis was of a high level,” said Ward after the match. “Especially in the third set set when I was down a break point and 2 match points. I managed to produce my best tennis when it mattered.”

For a place in the semi-finals Ward faces Marcus Willis, who after overcoming second round opponent Andrew Fitzpatrick in three sets, extends his winning streak to seven matches.

In the women’s singles top seed Samantha Murray, second seed Tara Moore and fourth seed Melanie South swept aside their opening round opponents in straight sets to reach the second round.

Thursday's order of play sees the men’s quarter-finals and the women’s second round matches underway as well as the semi-finals of the men’s doubles.