James Ward has suffered defeat to Feliciano Lopez in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The British number two had come through two qualifying rounds to make the main draw, but he was made to pay for squandering eight break-point chances as he fell to a 6-4 6-4 loss.
The match was arguably won and lost in Lopez's opening service games as Ward twice reached 15-40, but he could convert neither opening and Lopez was able to reach the midway point of the first set at 3-3.
The Spaniard then broke Ward before serving out for the early advantage, and he stole a further march on the Londoner by breaking at the start of the second.
Ward had two chances to get back on level terms, but after they passed him by, Lopez was able to secure his place in the last 16.
Darren Plant
