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British long shot Alex Ward mirrors Willis' 2016 story

The world No. 855-ranked Brit qualified for the Wimbledon main dr

Published Jun 30, 2017

"I'd like to play one of the big names. That would be brilliant"

For world No. 855 Alex Ward, the #Wimbledon dream is a reality... pic.twitter.com/F7n115PjP4
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2017

Last year Great Britain’s Marcus Willis was a Cinderella story when he qualified for Wimbledon as the No. 772 ranked player. This time, compatriot Alexander Ward beat that and the odds with his No. 855 world ranking.

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Northampton's Alex Ward this year's Marcus Willis. Great effort of world number 855 to qualify for Wimbledon.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) June 29, 2017

It’s a similar story to Willis' for certain, as Ward also tried to earn a wildcard through the pre-qualifying tournament (which Willis won last year). Making his story even more remarkable, Ward lost in the final of that event after having two match points, but an extra spot opened up and he accepted.

The 27-year-old Brit isn't as out of nowhere as Willis was. He was ranked No. 242 just last year, receiving a wildcard into the Wimbledon main draw (where he lost to David Goffin in the first round). An injured wrist then forced him to miss the rest of the year. He struggled in his return this season, as his ranking slid to the 800s.

But this week, Ward is the only British player of 17 participants to make it through qualifying, and earns $45,000 for his efforts.

17 Brits started in Roehampton, and one Brit gets through to the main draw, as Alex Ward makes it past Gabashvili in four. #wimbledon
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 29, 2017

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Ward is not about to let the dream end with a routine first round at Wimbledon, but he's flying high.

What a feeling!! pic.twitter.com/xhGG9IC1OR
— Alex Ward (@AlexWard1990) June 29, 2017

"It feels incredible to be honest. I had never won a match in Wimbledon qualifying before this year. I had lost four times..." he told *The Mirror*. "I am still struggling to get my head round it."

Ward has drawn fellow Brit Kyle Edmund in round one, and unlike Willis last year, he isn't in the same section as Federer. Willis fell in the final round of qualifying to Illya Marchenko.

Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JeremyEckstein1

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British long shot Alex Ward mirrors Willis' 2016 story

LIVE this week on Tennis Channel Plus: 20 hours of live match coverage from The Boodles.

Watch all the action from The Boodles live and on demand on Tennis Channel Plus.

Watch former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and rising star Nick Kyrgios live at The Boodles this week on Tennis Channel Plus.

WIMBLEDON: catch up on your grass court knowledge by watching some of the greatest matches on the Wimbledon Classics Channel on Tennis Channel Plus.

Watch encore coverage of the 2016 Wimbledon Finals and Semifinals on Tennis Channel Plus.

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