Istomin was on excellent form against Baker, the British No. 3. In the first set the Uzbekistani broke Baker’s serve in the fourth game and didn’t look back as he raced into a 6-1 lead.

He carried the momentum into the second set, breaking the British player’s serve in the opening game and opened up a 2-0 lead.

The Briton, supported by some good home support, then stopped his losing run by holding serve in the third game and saved a break point in a long fifth game to stay in touch at 2-3.

However Istomin, the world No. 72 looked comfortable on serve throughout, and despite Baker saving break points in consecutive service games he soon found himself 3-5 down and serving to stay in the match.

He managed to do so successfully but Istomin was too strong on serve once again and wrapped up the second set and the match on his first opportunity to triumph 6-1, 6-4.