Number 15 seed Feliciano Lopez ensured his safe passage into the second round of Wimbledon with a 6-2 7-6 6-3 victory against Belgium's Steve Darcis this afternoon.
Both players produced an intensely paced game in the opening set, which was eventually clinched by Lopez at 6-2 following a skilful break.
Darcis was remarkably improved in the contest's second offering as he forced Lopez into a tensely fought tie-break, only for his Spanish opponent to clinch another vital 7-4 victory in the extra period of play.
The final set of the fixture perhaps produced the most evenly contested period as both players produced aggressive tennis to leave Lopez pushing for the win.
Lopez stood out just in front having broken Darcis in the opening game of the final set, and he soon secured progression with a commanding win in game 10 to complete a straight-sets victory.
Christopher Dodd
