TENNIS star Ashley Hewitt’s stock has continued to rise after achieving his first professional singles victory in May, helping him climb to 460th in the World rankings.

Weeks after claiming his first International Tennis Federation title at the Aegon GB Pro Series in Newcastle, Hewitt travelled to Israel to take part in a series of ITF events starting with the Israel F10 Futures competition on June 3.

There he reached the semi final, losing out to local contender Igor Smilansky in straight sets before matching that achievement alongside partner George Morgan in the doubles.

He was soon back on court for the Israel F11 Futures event, again losing out in the doubles semi finals having been beaten two sets to one in the singles quarter final against France’s Antoine Benneteau.

But he saved the best until last, blasting his way into the singles final of the third and final Israel Futures event, where he lost 2-1 to Russia’s Alexander Kudryavtsev.

Morgan and Hewitt suffered a similar fate in the doubles final, losing out to Ireland’s Sam Barry and France’s Elie Rousset in straight sets.

But Hewitt’s consistent performances have dragged the 21-year-old into the UK top 20, placing him 17th in the country ahead of ITF tournaments in London in the next few weeks.