JB PICKARD shook off any perceived ring-rust last night [Tuesday] to become the first Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club member to come through qualifying for this year’s LTA British Tour event at his host club.

The 19-year-old, who is studying finance at Samford University in Alabama, defeated 13th seed Matthew Nice from Newcastle to reach today’s first-round proper at the Grade Two tournament.

Rain meant that there was no play on the grass courts so all the British Tour action was on the club’s five indoor courts because of rain, but Pickard and 18-year-old Nice’s match was interrupted by a fire alarm.

The club had to be evacuated for 10 minutes due to a wooden ladle catching fire in the sauna.

Pickard admitted: “I have played a decent amount of tennis on and off since I came back from university in May, so I went into the tournament without any great expectations.

“I just wanted to perform to how I know I can and the result would take care of itself.

“I thought that I did perform but within the ebb and flow of the match there were some easy holds.

“I was disappointed to hand him the break back when leading 2-0 in the first set and I was glad of the service break at the end that won it.”

Pickard profited more when he hit the ball softer and shorter than he did when having harder-hitting rallies where the ball landed nearer the baseline.

Alice Brook can make it two home club members to get through qualifying when she faces Scotland’s Sorcha Caves, who is seeded ninth, in the women’s singles.

Brook, who is the cousin of England cricketer Harry, defeated fellow 16-year-old Siana Macdonald (Hertfordshire) 6-0, 6-4.

The 5ft 9in Ilkley Grammar School pupil showed excellent defensive qualities and also has a powerful serve but needs to put more pace into her groundstrokes.

Brook, who has ambitions to play college tennis in the United States, said: “I was happy with how I played in the first set, was quite consistent and served well but she made quite a few mistakes.

“I didn’t panic when she started to make a few more shots in the second set.

“It wasn’t a tactic to hit the ball shorter to bring her into the net. It was just the way that it happened.

“As for America, I just want to improve my game and possibly play full-time tennis.”