BOLTON'S Simon Roberts has dropped out of the ITF Men's Futures competition at the Bolton Arena.

Roberts was due to face giant German Phillipp Hammer in the second round but the match was declared a walk-over after his non-appearance.

Earlier, the 22-year-old, from Bromley Cross, wasted four match points before finally defeating Germany's Sacha Kloer in three sets in the first round

Roberts made a confident start, racing into a 4-1 lead before struggling with his serve and losing the first set on a tie break.

The second set went with serve before Roberts made the break in game seven, going on to win the set 6-3.

It all looked over as the young Brit served for the game at 5-1, but he lost his serve to give the athletic German qualifier some impetus.

Roberts lost the next four games, and was visibly frustrated with his game, but turned things round at 5-5 to take the next two games with some delightful ground strokes.

Hammer defeated Roberts in Sunderland two weeks ago, and went through after number one seed Mark Hilton withdrew after only one set of their game with the German ahead 6-4, 2-1.