James Ward
James Ward produced a stunning five-set victory over John Isner to help Great Britain beat the United States in March Getty

James Ward will contest the opening singles rubber of Great Britain's Davis Cup World Group quarter-final clash against Gilles Simon at Queen's Club tomorrow (17 July).

Where to watch

Ward v Simon will be broadcast live on the BBC via the red button for cable and satellite. The match can also be viewed online using the BBC Sport website, with proceedings set to get under way at 12:25 BST.

Preview

British number three Ward should be full of confidence after his exploits against the United States in March.

Although he was forced to retire leading 7-5, 0-1 against Donald Young in what was an essentially meaningless final match at the Emirates Arena, his enthralling five-set win over John Isner helped propel captain Leon Smith's team to a hugely satisfying 3-2 victory.

Not only that, but Ward also jumped 22 places to catapult into the world's top 100 earlier this month and can now boast a singles ranking of 89 following an impressive Wimbledon campaign that featured consecutive four-set triumphs over Luca Vanni and Jiri Vesely before defeat to Vasek Pospisil in round three.

The 28 year old, whose place in this competition may have come under threat from Slovenian-born Aljaz Bedene were it not for the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) ruling that bans players from representing two nations at the Davis Cup, had never previously progressed past the first round at a grand slam event.

Gilles Simon should provide a far sterner test of Ward's credentials, though. The right-hander is currently the highest-ranked French player in the world at 11th and saw off the likes of Gael Monfils and Tomas Berdych at the All-England Club before eventually falling to Roger Federer in straight sets at the quarter-final stage.

With 12 career titles to his name since turning professional in 2002, Simon did not feature for hosts France on their run to the Davis Cup final last year. He split his singles rubbers during the first-round victory over Germany this time around, beating Jan-Lennard Struff in five sets but losing to Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Betting odds (source: Sky Bet)

Great Britain - Evens

France - 4/5

Head-to-head record

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Last match

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Previous meetings at the Davis Cup

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