James Ward holds nerve to beat Igor Sijsling in Manchester

James Ward has progressed through to the second round of the Aegon Manchester Trophy after seeing off the challenge of Igor Sijsling.

The British number three dropped the opening set on a tie-break before he held his nerve at the end of the remaining two sets to record a 6-7 7-6 7-6 triumph.

The 28-year-old will now play Dennis Novikov in the last 16 after the American also hit back from a set deficit to beat Jordan Thompson.

However, fellow British representatives Marcus Willis, Daniel Smethurst and Edward Corrie all fell to defeat on Wednesday.

Willis succumbed by a 6-4 6-2 scoreline to top seed Marcos Baghdatis, Smethurst was soundly beaten by Alejandro Falla, and Corrie was edged out in a final set by Jimmy Wang.