Teenager Lee Childs took the Samsung Open by storm at the Brighton Centre last night.

The new national champion knocked out Armenian Sargis Sargsian, ranked an amazing 332 places higher, 6-3, 7-6 in the first round.

Sargsian, the world No. 92, struggled with a groin strain, but it was still a stunning debut on the ATP Tour for Childs.

The 18-year-old Somerset sensation displayed a maturity beyond his years, particularly when losing his grip on the contest in the second set after taking the first with a break in the sixth game.

Childs' form deserted him when he led 2-1 and 40-0. He allowed Sargsian to level, but it was only a temporary blip.

Break points went begging at 3-3 and 5-5 before he powered through the tie break 7-0.

"I can see I can play with the bigger boys, said Childs, ranked 424.

"Obviously there is a lot for me to do, but they are not a million miles away.

"If I keep my head down, keep working and stay focused hopefully I will be up there with them very soon.

"I was surprised to win, but I wasn't going into the match to roll over. I was going to fight every point.

"I was very nervous to start with, more than usual, then I got into the match and started to relax a bit more.

"He wasn't really hurting me. He was letting me move him around a bit and play my game."

Sargsian said: "I had never seen him play, but I was pretty impressed. He has a good serve, good volleys, a good all-round game and he is pretty confident."

Sargsian was reluctant to use his injury as an excuse. "I strained it two days ago," he added. "It's not very bad, but I just didn't have enough time to recover.

"Speed is my strength, but it was a little scary. Every time I pushed off I felt it."

Childs' performance drew warm applause from a sparse crowd, which included Tim Henman and Roger Taylor.

"Roger Taylor came and said well done, good match," Childs revealed.

"That's great coming from the Davis Cup captain."

Childs now meets the winner of today's match between Croatian Ivan Ljubicic and French third seed Fabrice Santoro.

Top seed Henman tackles the Czech Michal Tabara tonight.

See the Argus every day this week for the best tennis coverage from the Brighton Centre