New Malden’s Mel South has admitted criticism levelled against British performances at Wimbledon has been hard to take considering the strides she has made this season.

The 23-year-old and partner Alex Bogdanovic exited the mixed doubles yesterday 7-5 6-3 to Dutchman Rogier Wassen and Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn on court four on Thursday to continue their country’s miserable showing in SW19.

Only two Brits - including world number three Andy Murray - reached the second round of the singles events with nine bowing out at the first hurdle, while they have fared little better in the doubles.

Elena Baltacha exited the women’s singles on Thursday and insisted people need to put her performances and those of her compatriots in the context of their efforts across the last 12 months.

South has improved her ranking year on year since turning professional - breaking into the world’s top 100 in February - and is one of five British girls inside the top 200 - three years ago only British number one Anne Keothavong was ranked 141st.

The world number 129 made a tearful first round singles exit last week but believes the media hype surrounding Wimbledon masks the hard work done in the far flung corners of the globe this year.

“People have to remember this is not our only tournament. No-one sees the hard work that is done throughout the year,” she said.

“I think women’s tennis in this country has improved significantly. Most of the girls were taken to three sets in the first round. Things were close to happening for us.

“You can’t read too much into one tournament. Everyone is working hard and doing the right thing and we are progressing. Standards improve each year and each year the first round here gets tougher.

“It is hard to take when you are criticised for one performance and that is the most frustrating thing.”

South and doubles partner Jocelyn Rae play 12th seeds Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld and America’s Vania King on court four today and the former Holy Cross School student is determined to extend her stay in the tournament.

“We want to get into the second week and that would be a major achievement, but we can only take each game as it comes and hopefully we can get through,” she added.