Tennis star James Ward just misses out at An-Ning Challenger in China
James Ward - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Camden’s James Ward reached the final of the clay-court An-Ning Challenger event in China, but he was beaten in Sunday’s final.
The 26-year-old from Eversholt Street near Euston station came through the qualifiers and, apart from the first round, went on to play three sets in each of his matches in the main draw.
Britain’s No2 looked to be in trouble against the Serbian Danilo Petrovic in the quarter-final after losing the first set 6-0 and going down a break in the second.
However, he fought back to win the tie-break and then triumphed 6-0 in the third set.
Ward went on to beat Tsung-Hua Yang from Taipei 6-4 5-7 6-2 in the semi-final to set up a showdown with the Junior Wimbledon winner, Marton Fucsovics.
The 21-year-old Hungarian had not dropped a single set en route to the final, but he needed three sets to overcome Ward, winning 6-3 in the third.
Ward, who has climbed 51 places to 210 in the world rankings, has been in action in the Kun-Ming Challenger in China this week.
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He faced Fucsovics in the first round on Tuesday and gained revenge for his disappointing defeat two days earlier.
Ward lost the first set but took two of his six break points and saved four out of five on his own serve en route to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.
Ward is due to compete in the Busan Challenger in South Korea next week before returning home to prepare for the French Open at Roland Garros, which starts on May 27.
