Win gives Alan Bevan first world ranking point

Shropshire tennis ace Alan Bevan has become the first county player ever to gain a world ranking after saving four match points in a stunning comeback victory at a Futures tournament.

Bevan, 21, from Oswestry, came through three qualifying matches just to make the main draw of the AEGON GB Pro-Series event in Bournemouth.

And a famous win over the No.3 seed Jerome Inzerillo saw him gain his first ranking point, meaning he will be around 1,500 in the world when the next rankings are published. "It is a brilliant feeling," said Bevan.

"I saved four match points against him and was really pleased to come away with the win.

"I seem to play better when my back is against the wall and to beat someone ranked so highly in the world (540) gives me a huge amount of confidence.

"I just want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way and hopefully I can get a few more points now."

Bevan had also battled from a set down in his final qualifying round before bowing out to Italian Marco Bortolotti in round two of the tournament won by former US Open Junior Champion Oliver Golding.

"Although I got knocked out in the second round I was still on a massive high after picking up my first ranking point and didn't produce my best tennis," added Bevan.

The county youngster, who plays under the North Wales banner, lost the opening set 6-1 to Inzerillo and the Frenchman served for the match at 5-4 in the second.

But Bevan battled back with a gutsy display to force a tie-break which he won 8-6.

He then came through the third set 6-2 to close out the match in a little over three hours.

Bevan now travels to Newcastle for a tournament that begins on Monday.

"Hopefully I can carry on my good form there," added Bevan, who is seeded five in the tournament and faces a first-round clash with qualifier Mason Recci.