• French Open

Ward fails in Roland Garros bid, Baker progresses

ESPN staff
May 22, 2012
James Ward is out of French Open qualifying © Getty Images
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James Ward's hopes of reaching the main draw of the French Open were dashed on Tuesday, after he lost in qualifying for the event at Roland Garros.

Ward, notable for reaching the semi-final at Queen's Club last year, was beaten in three sets by American Denis Kudla in the first round of qualifying in France, although there was better news for Jamie Baker - as he moved onto the second phase.

The third Brit in action, Josh Goodall, was also disappointed, however - as he went down in three sets to Japan's Hiroki Moriya.

Ward, seeded 29th for this stage of qualifying, has never previously made it beyond the first match in two previous appearances - and that run only briefly looked like ending during his contest with Kudla.

The American strided out into the lead after taking the first set 6-2, before Ward edged the second to set up a decider. But Kudla regrouped and grabbed the decisive break, eventually sealing a 6-2 4-6 6-3 victory.

Goodall, meanwhile, was perhaps more unfortunate - as Moriya held his nerve better in the crucial games of the match to edge a fraught encounter, 6-7(5) 7-5 7-5.

At least there will be one British representative in the second round of qualifying. Baker is through after trumping Germany's Peter Torebko, although he needed a second set tiebreak to avoid a potentially nervy final set.

In the end Baker held on to secure a 6-4 7-6(4) victory. He will now face Spaniard Daniel Munoz-De La Nava in Wednesday's second round meeting.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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