Greg Rusedski survived a second set slump to win the first of two all-British battles in the Stella Artois Championships. The British number two served superbly as he took the first set in a tie-break against compatriot Arvind Parmar on centre court at Queen's Club.
But the big serve mis-fired chronically in the second set and he was broken twice as Parmar took the set 6-1 to level the match. Rusedski had to save two more break points in the third game of the second set and looked vulnerable to a major upset.
The 27-year-old held his nerve however and after a 13th ace kept him in front at 3-2, he put away a backhand volley on his third break point in the next game to gain the crucial advantage. With confidence fully restored the 27-year-old then sealed the victory with a second break courtesy of a superb backhand winner cross court, completing a 7-6 (7/5) 1-6 6-2 win in one hour 27 minutes.
Rusedski will face another Briton in the next round after Jamie Delgado defeated Czech Martin Damm in straight sets in the first round. The British number five was in superb form as he raced through the first set 6-1 and one break of serve was good enough to claim the second 6-4.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
