Wimbledon 2015: David Ferrer pulls out with elbow injury as James Ward handed big chance

David Ferrer has confirmed his withdrawal from Wimbledon through injury just a day before the action is scheduled to begin at SW19.

World number seven Ferrer had been seeded eighth for the year's third grand slam and was due to meet Great Britain's James Ward in the first round on 29 June before announcing the decision to pull out with an elbow problem.

ATP Challenger Tour regular Luca Vanni, who lost in five sets to Luke Saville during the final qualifying round, has been confirmed as the Spaniard's replacement and should still provide a tough test for Ward.

However, the latter will surely be more confident now in his chances of progression than he might have been after the draw was conducted last week.

Ferrer reached the quarter-finals at the All-England Club for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013, losing to Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro respectively.

He was also bested by Murray at the same stage of this year's French Open, losing 7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Ferrer was beaten by Kei Nishikori in the fourth round at the Australian Open in January.

The 33-year-old was seeded first for the Aegon Open in Nottingham in the build-up to Wimbledon, but was surprisingly eliminated from the competition early after a straight sets loss to Marcos Baghdatis.