Briton Ward in hospital after marathon match

LONDON (AFP) –

Britain’s James Ward reacts during his second round men’s singles match against US player Mardy Fish on day four of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2012.

British number two James Ward ended up in hospital following his marathon heroics during the Davis Cup at the weekend.

The world number 214 played two gruelling five-setters in Britain’s shock 3-2 win over Russia in Coventry.

Ward won a tough match against world number 67 Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 in the fifth set on Sunday but that success, one of his best ever results, came at a price.

Ward ended up on a hospital drip.

He told lta.org.uk: “I thought sleep would help me recover from the weekend but by yesterday (Monday) afternoon I wasn’t feeling too good so I went to my local A and E.

“The staff there were great. They put me on a drip and let me go at midnight. I’m feeling much better today and I’m still hoping to make it to the States next week.”