James Ward kept the locals smiling late on Tuesday when he beat Italian lucky loser Luca Vanni to become the fourth British man into the second round of the men’s singles.

The 28-year-old Londoner hit back from a set down to beat Vanni, who on Sunday was called in to fill the injured David Ferrer’s spot in the main draw, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

The result marks only the second time the world No.111 has won a main draw singles match at any of the four Grand Slams, his last coming in SW19 in 2012 when he beat Spain’s Pablo Andujar in five sets.

Ward’s 2hr 33min success puts him into round two alongside compatriots Andy Murray, Liam Broady and Aljaz Bedene, the latter coming through against Radek Stepanek in five sets moments before Ward tasted victory.

It is the first time since 2006 that Great Britain has had four representatives in the second round of the men’s singles at Wimbledon.

Ward will perhaps feel confident about his chances of going deeper into the SW19 draw. The right-hander will play Jiri Vesely in the second round, before a potential meeting with either Canadian Vasek Pospisil or 30^th seeded Italian Fabio Fognini in the last 32.

"I didn't know him that well," Ward told the press afterwards. "I've seen him on the Challenger tour, but I'd never played him. He normally plays a lot more on clay.

"The guy served unbelievable in that first set. I played one bad point in the tiebreak, hit a backhand long, he comes up with a couple of big serves on the line. Not much that you can do."