Goodall banks first ever ATP Tour win in Eastbourne

 BRITISH number three Josh Goodall will face big-serving Croat Ivan Ljubicic after winning his first-ever ATP Tour match.

Goodall brushed aside Japan's Tatsuma Ito 6-4, 6-1 at the AEGON International in Eastbourne on Monday but is not getting carried away.

"In the past I've let my emotions get the better of me but now I'm able to keep things under control. I'm able to go out now and express myself and play the tennis I want to," he said.

"I'm just really pleased to get through this and it feels good to finally win on the ATP Tour.

"However, maybe it's not as good as I thought it would because I've wanted it for so long and maybe I was putting too much pressure on myself."

Goodall - ranked 199 in the world - has been handed a wildcard into the main draw of the singles and doubles at Wimbledon.

"I need to build on this victory and keep looking forward," he added.
 
"I'm really excited about my Wimbledon wild card and thankful to be given the chance again.

"I love playing in the tournament, it's the biggest in the world, and hopefully I can take the lessons of this week and build on them."

Earlier, there were wins in Eastbourne for fellow British players Alex Bogdanovic and James Ward.

* Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grass roots to world class tennis events. For tickets and further information visit www.lta.org.uk