Ward handed Queen's wild card

British number two James Ward has been awarded a wild card into next month's AEGON Championships.

Ward enjoyed a memorable run to the semi-final stage of the grass court tournament last year, defeating fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka and 2010 champion Sam Querrey along the way.

The 25-year-old's challenge was eventually ended by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga but he will be itching to impress after he and four-time champion Lleyton Hewitt were handed the first two wild card entries for the tournament, which gets under way on June 11.

"I'm really happy and grateful to have been given a wild card into the AEGON Championships," said Ward.

"Reaching the semi-finals last year was a fantastic experience - the best of my career so far, and I'm going to give it everything I've got to try to make the most of what is a great opportunity."

Top-10 ranked players Andy Murray - who is the defending champion - Tsonga, Janko Tipsarevic and Juan Martin Del Potro will compete at the championships this year in preparation for Wimbledon.

A further three wild cards will be announced before the singles draw is made on June 9.