Wimbledon 2016: Alexander Ward the third Briton to go home early as David Goffin makes light work of opener

BRITISH wild-card Alex Ward followed namesake James in crashing out of Wimbledon at the first hurdle.

Northampton-born Ward, 26, instantly realised what he was on for on his Grand Slam debut against David Goffin, being forced to save two break points in the opening game of the match, before eventually - and crucially for his confidence - holding.

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Yet the Belgian No11 seed could smell blood in the water, breaking the unfancied Brit in his second service game to take control of the match.

And from there Goffin stormed through the set, breaking again en route to 6-2.

Ward - who has never won a tour level match in his career - was outplayed at times, but never overawed by the situation - continually playing with a smile on his face.

Yet the second set went much the same way as the first for the British No7 - despite some occasionally dominant tennis at the net - with Belgian favourite Goffin breaking twice to take it 6-3.

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And world No11 Goffin ensured he kept his foot on the accelerator until the very end, breaking in the fourth and eighth games of the third set in strolling to a 6-2 6-3 6-2 win to progress to the second round - and send another home hero packing.

It's not curtains for Ward just yet though, as he will team up with fellow Brit Brydan Klein - who also lost in his singles curtain-raiser, against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut - in the doubles.

When asked where it all went wrong on the day, Ward quipped: "What went wrong?

"I think a lot went right for him, to be honest. I think he's a class player.

"He was too good for me today. He played well from the start to the end, and I couldn't keep up with his level.

"I could have served better. I don't know, I didn't check my percentage, but I think I could have made more first serves, done a bit more damage with my serve and got maybe a couple of cheap points.

"It would have made it easier for me.

"Apart from that, you know, I tried a few different things, but he was too good in the end."