Arthur Fery, Sonay Kartal and Lily Miyazaki all made winning starts at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club in both the ATP Challenger Tour at ITF W100 events.

21-year-old Fery – who is supported by our Pro Scholarship Programme presented by Lexus – made the most of his main draw wild card with a 6-4, 7-6(2) win over Duje Ajdukovic, his first on the grass court this season.

“I felt happy with my performance today,” Fery said. “I managed to get going from the start today, serving well on the grass courts. I managed to close it out which was good.

“He serves very well, I think it’s one of his strengths, he hit a lot of aces against me but I managed to take my chances when it mattered.

“The past two weeks have been challenging for me, I wasn’t far from winning my first round last week but couldn’t quite close it out so I’m happy that I managed to get it done today.

“Everyone here is good, it’s a very strong draw so I knew my first round would be tough regardless, it’s a good one to put in the bank.”

“It’s super important playing in front of British fans and friends and family, there’s a lot at stake so hopefully I can do well this week and for the next two weeks to come.”

The tests only get tougher for the young Brit in the second round as he moves on to face the second seed and Lexus Surbiton Trophy champion Lloyd Harris.

In the ITF women’s draw Kartal and Miyazaki look set to face each other in an all-British second round with a guaranteed Brit in the quarter-finals.

Kartal came through to beat Australian Destanee Aiava 6-3, 7-6(4), while Miyazaki came from a break down twice in the deciding set to defeat Elena Gabriela Ruse 2-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(3) in two hours and 49 minutes.

Speaking after her win, Miyazaki said: “First set I don’t think I played my best tennis, but just told myself I can play better as long as I trust myself and I keep believing.

“It was maybe one of the toughest matches I have played. I played a couple of long setters at Ilkley before, so I don’t know might just be something about Ilkley"

“It's going to give me a lot of confidence, coming through a three setter and turning it round after not a great first set gives me a big boost."

Kartal leads the head-to-head between the two players 3-0 – including a win in Ilkley back in 2022. Kartal has a strong record at this tournament having made the semi-finals last year.

There are still plenty of first round matches still to be played however as rain once again disrupted play in West Yorkshire.