Britain’s Alex Ward qualifies for Wimbledon

Britain’s Alex Ward was a shock qualifier for Wimbledon after Marcus Willis saw his dreams of a Centre Court return dashed.

Ward, ranked a lowly 855 in the world, caused a major shock by beating Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili, a player ranked 679 places higher, to secure his place in Friday’s main draw.

But Willis, who thrilled the Wimbledon crowd 12 months ago, fell at the final qualifying hurdle when he crashed out in straight sets to Illya Marchenko of Ukraine.

The 26-year-old came through six qualifiers last year before thrilling the Centre Court crowd when he met seven-time champion Roger Federer in the second round.

Willis, ranked 374 in the world, had already accounted for world number 148 Andrej Martin and compatriot Liam Broady this week at Roehampton.

But, struggling with a knee injury after an awkward fall, he found world number 117 Marchenko a step too far and lost 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7/4).

With Derbyshire teenager Jay Clarke and Hemel Hempstead’s Katy Dunne also bowing out at the Bank of England Sports Centre, it was left to the unlikely figure of Ward to keep the British flag flying.

The 27-year-old from Northampton has suffered with injures of late, but came through a big-hitting contest 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 6-1 to land a coveted Wimbledon spot.

The victory was all the more remarkable as Ward had lost in pre-qualifying last week, only to receive a wildcard to compete in the qualifiers.

“I’ve never won a match before in qualifying, before this I had lost four times,” said Ward, whose only previous Wimbledon appearance was a loss to David Goffin in round one last year – again following a wildcard invitation.

“It just feels amazing, pretty unbelievable. I didn’t even get through pre-qualifying! I thought that was it but they found two more wildcard spots and gave me one, so it really is unbelievable.”

Marcus Willis saw his dreams of a Wimbledon return dashed.

The 26-year-old, who came through six qualifiers last year before thrilling the Centre Court crowd when he met seven-time champion Roger Federer in the second round, crashed out in straight sets to Illya Marchenko of Ukraine.

Willis, who missed out on a wildcard despite his heroics of 12 months ago, had already accounted for world number 148 Andrej Martin and compatriot Liam Broady this week.