Roger Federer made light work of Marcus Willis during the second round Wimbledon this afternoon, but the plucky part-time tennis coach from Slough was the story of the day.
It was always going to be easy for the Swiss; Federer has won the competition seven times and Willis is ranked 772nd in the world.
Die Hard Marcus Willis vs your Majesty Roger Federer. Let the games begin! #Wimbledon2016 pic.twitter.com/9WehmNa2bQ
— Miguel Cicenia (@TheTennisMole) June 29, 2016
Federer raced to a quick set as Willis found his feet and tried not to become too overwhelmed by the occasion (he was, after all, playing an all-time great on Centre Court at Wimbledon).
But Willis showed guts and determination and in the second set, this happened:
He did it! Number 772 in the world Marcus Willis wins first game against Roger Federer #Wimbledon #Dream pic.twitter.com/6axbPPboeo
— Miguel Cicenia (@TheTennisMole) June 29, 2016
The 25-year-old then went on to pick up three games in the second set and four sets in the third. It was a rags to riches story that never really had the legs to get past Federer but he does pick up a cheque for £50,000 and can at least tell his grandchildren and friends for the rest of his days that he took seven games off one of the greatest players of all time. That's more that can be said for most.
Elsewhere today, Novak Djokovic remained on course to defend his crown and picked up a 30th consecutive successive Grand Slam victory.
He beat Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to reach the third round and will now face either Sam Querrey or Thomaz Bellucci for a place in the last 16.
Novak Djokovic celebrates a 30th successive Grand Slam match victory. Image: Ben Curtis / AP/Press Association Images
"I do have a lot of expectations for myself but I am grateful that I am able to play at a high level so consistently. To have 30 Grand Slam wins in a row is a stat I am proud of," he said after the match.
"The record I managed to break today was one of the better ones," Djokovic said after moving ahead of 11-time Grand Slam winner, Rod Laver.
"It’s very pleasing. I want to keep it going and see where it takes me."
In the ladies, Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska advanced at the expense of Ukraine’s Kateryna Kozlova, 6-2, 6-1.
She'll face Italy's Karin Knapp or Croatia's Ana Konjuh for a spot in the last 16.
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