Rusedski given lift by consecutive victories

Greg Rusedski yesterday secured another morale-boosting victory in the defence of his Nottingham Open title. Rusedski beat Vince Spadea 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 on centre court to book a quarter-final meeting with the former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson.

Greg Rusedski yesterday secured another morale-boosting victory in the defence of his Nottingham Open title. Rusedski beat Vince Spadea 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 on centre court to book a quarter-final meeting with the former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson.

It was only the second time this year Rusedski has won two matches in a row and the first time he has recorded back-to-back wins on the ATP Tour since this event 12 months ago.

The British No 2 also gained revenge for his loss to Spadea in the first round at Wimbledon in 2000, when the American was on a tour record 21-match losing streak. "I was really pleased, I felt I played better than yesterday," said Rusedski, who has now won four of his 10 matches since he was cleared of any wrongdoing over his positive drugs test last year.

"It's great preparation for Wimbledon to win two three-set matches. I served well and volleyed better, the forehand could be better but hopefully that comes with practice."

Meanwhile, Britain's Arvind Parmar and Alex Bogdanovic failed to join Rusedski in the quarter-finals, losing to Victor Hanescu and Taylor Dent respectively.

Parmar went down 6-4, 7-5 to the big-serving Romanian while Bogdanovic saved several match points before also losing in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5 to the American Dent.