Ryan Peniston springs another Queen’s surprise with win over Ugo Humbert

British wild card Ryan Peniston sprung another surprise on the cinch Championships – and gave Andy Murray a Wimbledon increase – with a straight-sets win over Ugo Humbert.

Essex lad Peniston, at the moment ranked a lowly 265, shocked high seed and world quantity 5 Casper Ruud at Queen’s Club final yr on his technique to the quarter-finals.

The 27-year-old discovered the grass of west London to his liking once more as he secured a spot within the second spherical, and a possible assembly with second-seed Holger Rune, with a formidable 6-4 6-2 victory.

“I loved playing her last year, so to come back, it feels pretty comfortable to be on the court. It’s just amazing,” stated Peniston.

“I was nervous – I was more nervous last year. But once you get going it is a lot of fun out there.”

World quantity 37 Humbert is likely one of the gamers Murray must overtake within the rankings if he’s to be seeded at Wimbledon subsequent month, so his early exit will solely assist the Scot’s trigger.

A spot within the quarter-finals at Queen’s may be sufficient to position the two-time champion again within the high 32, that means he can keep away from drawing one of many large names within the early rounds at SW19.

Murray, on a 10-match profitable streak on the grass, faces Australian world quantity 18 Alex de Minaur within the first spherical on Tuesday.

Cameron Norrie adopted Peniston on to Centre Court acquired his grass-court season off to a profitable begin by beating Miomir Kecmanovic.

The British primary was given a good work-out by Serbian Kecmanovic, heading off one break level within the first set with some heroic defending on the web.

The 27-year-old, runner-up at Queen’s two years in the past, was taken to a second-set tie-break and let three match factors slip earlier than changing a fourth to wrap up a 6-4 7-6 ( 5) victory.

“It feels good to be back on the grass and back here playing in London in front of a full crowd,” stated Norrie.

“It wasn’t easy to get over the line. I had a couple of chances towards the end of the second set and I donated my serve at 3-1 up.

“I had a number of match points and it was just nice to see that forehand fly long at the end. It’s always tricky, the first match on grass. I was really happy to get over the line.”