Murray and Peniston kick off grass court seasons in style at Surbiton

By Jonny Bray at Surbiton

Andy Murray and Ryan Peniston highlighted an encouraging day for British players as the grass court season got underway at the LTA's Lexus Surbiton Trophy.

Former world No.1 Murray beat Hyeon Chung in straight sets to progress to the round of 16 in West London.

Murray, 36, eased to a 6-3 6-2 triumph after opting to skip the French Open to give himself more time on grass ahead of Wimbledon next month.

The two-time SW19 champion will now face either fellow Brit Harry Wendelken or China's Bu Yunchaokete in the next round.

Peniston, who is supported by the LTA's Pro Access Programme, also progressed to the round of 16 after beating Jiri Vesely in straight sets.

The Southend star, who memorably reached the last eight at both Queen's and Eastbourne in successive weeks last summer, defeated his Czech rival 6-4 6-2 to set up a mouthwatering match with Australia's Jason Kubler, who beat Gijs Brouwer 6-1 7-6 (4).

American ace Denis Kudla won Monday's other round of 32 match against Christopher O'Connell after triumphing in a third-set decider.

Wendelken stormed into the main draw of the men's singles with a brilliant 6-4 7-6 (3) triumph over Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Court 3.

The 21-year-old held his nerve in a dramatic tie-break to progress following a second-set fightback from his French rival.

He was joined by his compatriot Mark Whitehouse, who became the second Brit to progress through the men's singles second round qualifying after a 6-3 7-5 defeat of James McCabe.

Billy Harris joined his countrymen Wendelken and Whitehouse with a 6-4 7-6 (10) victory over Zachary Svajda.

And Daniel Cox will also be in action when the last 32 resumes having beaten compatriot Arthur Fery in one of the day's most thrilling matches.

Cox was on the winning side, but Fery pushed him to the limit in a 6-7 (8) 7-6 (5) 6-4 defeat.

Elsewhere, fellow Brit Jay Clarke was eliminated after falling to a 6-4 6-0 defeat at the hands of Australia's Luke Saville.

The Australian took the first set despite a strong start to proceedings by the 24-year-old prospect from Derby.

Saville took the initiative in the second set, sealing his place in the main draw in style.

In the women's singles, 17-year-old wildcard Isabelle Lacy enjoyed the most impressive qualifying win of the day with a brilliant 6-3 3-6 6-2 win over Alice Gillan.

Maia Lumsden also progressed to the main draw after coming out on top against fellow British star Danielle Daley, winning in a second-set tie-break to seal a 6-3 7-6 (5) victory.

Emily Webley-Smith triumphed with a 7-6 (3) 4-6 6-1 win over Sophie Chang.

But Emily Appleton was eliminated after a 6-4 6-3 defeat against Belgian ace Yanina Wickmayer.

The women's doubles entered the round of 16 in the afternoon as Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls got the better of fellow Brits Harriet Dart and Heather Watson.

But they were the only pair to progress on Monday afternoon, as Lauryn John-Baptiste and Lily Yuriko Miyazaki were beaten by Brit Eden Silva and her Australian partner Olivia Gadecki.

There was also disappointment for Freya Christie and Ali Collins as they were beaten 4-6 6-3 10-4 by Slovakia's Viktória Hrunčáková and Tereza Mihalikova.

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website