Childs survives tough opener

Childs has made little progress in the last 14 months

Lee Childs outlasted Chris Lewis and move into the second round of the National Championships.

Reigning champion Childs held his nerve in Bolton to win a final set tie-break against the British number 25.

The 19-year-old from Bridgewater had rallied from losing the first set and clinched the final set 7/5 in the tie-break, serving an ace on his third match point.

Childs knows that he needs to do well in these championships after struggling with his game all year.

His world ranking has improved just 20 places in 12 months to his current 408, despite the boost he received after winning the title 12 months ago.

Easier route

He said: "I feel I am playing better tennis than I was last year and it is just a question now of picking up the experience.

"It has not changed my goal to reach somewhere in the region of 200 to 300 in the rankings by April."

Fourth seed Parmar was not tested

Childs will meet Simon Dickson in the second round.

Fourth seed Arvind Parmar had an easier passage into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 win over Nick Gould.

And Jamie Delgado beat Nick Weal 6-4 2-6 6-4.

Julie Pullin, the British women's number one and top seed, breezed past Sussex team-mate Carly Homewood 6-2 6-3.

Pullin, 25, who won in Cardiff in her last tournament, is chasing her third domestic honour after victories in 1996 and 1998.

"You need a different kind of mentality this week and it's a big title to win, " she said after her victory.

"It is so nice to be able to say you are national champion - I loved that feeling."