Wildcard Ward Progresses In Dubai

James Ward fully exploited his wildcard entry to the Dubai Tennis Championships with a first round victory over World number 60 Teymuraz Gabashvili.

In a topsy-turvy match, Ward battled from a set and a break down to eventually win 2-6 6-4 7-6(6). This was Ward's second impressive upset of the year after defeating American Sam Querrey in a five-set thriller during the Davis Cup.

The match did not start well for Ward who quickly found himself a set down after being broken twice. Gabashvili then broke early in the second set to leave Ward staring at a first round exit.

However the British number three rallied, breaking twice to take the second set 6-4 and force a decider.

By this point the momentum was firmly in the British corner, Ward racing to a 3-0 lead before Gabashvili took a medical time out. At 5-1 and with two opportunities to serve the for the match the victory looked to be sealed.

However Gabashvili refused to buckle, winning the next five games to leave Ward serving to stay in the match. Ward successfully held serve to force a tie-break decider.

At 6-4 Ward had two break points but failed to convert either of them. It was a case of third time lucky though as he sealed victory moments later.

In the second round Ward will face the veteran Mikhail Youzhny for a possible quarter--final date with Novak Djokovic.

Published on SEaT Capital.