Two-set wins for Alexis and Alastair.

Jay and Finn play tomorrow.

A familiar opponent in round 2 for Finn, who beat the Serb at Roehampton only to draw the same player at Wimbledon and lose.

R1 (L64)

Finn Bass d. (Q) Sota Fujii (JPN) 6-0 6-3
Alexis Canter d. Takashi Yasugami (JPN) 7-5 6-2
Alastair Gray d. Nikshep Ballekere Ravikumar (IND) 6-2 6-4
(8) Jay Clarke d. Daisuke Sumizawa (JPN) 5-7 6-2 6-3

R2

Finn Bass v (5) Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB)
Alexis Canter v Zizou Bergs (BEL)
(7) Yosuke Watanuki (JPN) v Alastair Gray
(8) Jay Clarke v Vorachon Rakpuangchon (THA)

Alastair lost in doubles, so all down to Jay. His 15 year-old opponent is lowly ranked, but has won a lot of matches in G4/5 tournaments. Nevertheless it looks a good opportunity for Jay to entrench his position in the top 50 with his first GA QF

Boys R2

(5) Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) d. Finn Bass 6-1 6-1
Zizou Bergs (BEL) d. Alexis Canter 6-1 6-3
(7) Yosuke Watanuki (JPN) d. Alastair Gray 6-3 6-1
(8) Jay Clarke d. Vorachon Rakpuangchon (THA) 6-3 6-4

R3

(8) Jay Clarke v Rimpei Karakami (JPN)

Hats off to him though making that breakthrough into the top 50, it will give him some great opportunities to progress and undoubtedly already opened some doors.

Heckers, how well does Jay have to do to even get onto the funding ladder ?

I don't think the LTA should fund Jay simply because he's jumped up the rankings 50 places in the last month.

He doesn't play any better/have any greater potential than he did three months ago.

It shouldn't be a knee-jerk reaction based on some random target. They're top tennis professionals - they're supposed to be able to assess potential.

BUT if the LTA are not helping our best youngsters, NOR managing to get more people playing grass-root tennis, NOR providing any assistance to our better young adults, NOR supporting club tennis, NOR doing anything else whatsoeever apart from running some general tennis camps for the very junior players and directly funding a handful of three or four top players, then what the *** are they doing with the money? ANd what sort of national federation is that?

In June, at the Nike event, I posted that I'd seen all our top 1998 boys play and was impressed with Jay (big serve, strong game, strong guy) and impressed with Ryan too (different game but lots to be excited about). Only Alexis, in my view and it sounds harsh but......, doesn't quite tick the boxes (too 'taught'). And, even so, one might be wrong and 100% dedication can achieve a huge amount. So give the guy a chance.

So why wouldn't the LTA be involved ? I mean, if your only criteria is that they're top 10 at 16 (aka Katy, having made it on her own), well, it doesn't need much skill to do that and Joe Bloggs off the street could do the job.

I know that the LTA occasionally invites them to a week's training course, or whatever. Which is quite a nice idea. But is unlikely to fit in with the player's other training/tournament plans. And is only a week. Works well, in my experience, if you've got a decent number - at least then you get some benefits in terms of 'team' spirit, solidarity etc. etc. But I think it's more just one or two who are invited to train with our one or two funded top adult players. All too skinny, in my view.

And I've also heard that the LTA coaches on tour, who are looking after Katie, say, completely ignore the other British young players there, refusing to even say 'hello' in some cases, let alone provide any help or guidance (and this is even when the other youngsters are not traveling with a coach, or have actually asked for advice). Shameful.

I wish Jay all the luck in the world up in Sweden. And to the others too. I think you're on your own, lads.

That looks like a net 50pts on his ranking which will take him to around mid 30's in the rankings - with any more points a bonus.

Of those in the top 35, 15 players are set to drop out of the rankings at the end of the year.