Dan Cox determined to keep pushing after narrow Nottingham loss

Dan Cox is determined to keep pushing for greater heights after falling in the final round of qualifying at the LTA's Rothesay Open Nottingham. The 32-year-old from Lincoln, who is supported by the LTA's Top 25 Programme, faced Arthur Cazaux on Monday, the Frenchman seeded second in the qualifying draw.

Ad Cox had already shocked eighth seed Nicolas Mejia in the opening round of qualifying and came close to pulling off another surprise here, but Cazaux battled back to prevail 6-4 3-6 7-6 (2). TennisWatson spearheads British charge on opening day in NottinghamAN HOUR AGO It was the second week in a row that the world No.381 had been beaten deep in the third set by French opposition, falling to Constant Lestienne in the opening round of the LTA's Lexus Surbiton Trophy last week.

And the close nature of both matches has proven to Cox that he is not too far off from being able to play at Challenger level more consistently. «I feel my level is there, and these are the tournaments I want to play,» said Cox.

«The more tournaments I can play like this, my level is there and I just need to keep playing this level every week and try to give myself the opportunity to play against these guys.» Cox was outplayed in the opening set against Cazaux but impressively fought back to force a third set, and at times led in the decider. He added: «I didn't start off too great but I made a couple of chances in the second set and managed to claw my way back into the match.

»I had a little bit of an early lead in the third, but it just got away from me in the end. He played a good tie-break in the end, but it's a tough loss to take, especially having lost 7-5 in the third last week as well." For the latest action on the British summer grass