Federer scored a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over Argentina’s Guido Pella.
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The Taiwanese world No. 76, who reached the quarter-finals of the third Grand Slam of the year in 2010, saved three of four break points and converted five of eight, firing nine aces and winning 99 of the 167 points contested to advance to a likely second-round clash with world No. 2 Andy Murray, who was due to face fellow Briton Liam Broady on Center Court later yesterday.
For 25-year-old Marcus Willis, his week can not get any better. Ranked 772nd in the world, it goes without saying that he was not given a free pass into this year’s Championships. In fact, he almost left the game of tennis forever, nearly opting to leave Great Britain for a teaching job in the United States.
He nearly quit tennis altogether and was heading to Philadelphia to take up coaching full-time until he met a girl who convinced him to do otherwise. “That’s won him seven matches already in the tournament, six of those before the main draw, and he should play in the same way if he wants an eighth”.
Willis is the lowest-ranked player to reach the second round at Wimbledon since No861 Tommy Haas in 2015.
Marcus Willis will face off against seven time champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon today. That all changed on Monday.
While Ward was dispatched 6-0, 7-6, 6-4 in two hours by the world number one, Willis cornered the market for romance as he beat Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis in straight sets to earn a second-round showdown against Roger Federer. This is it. He will go on Centre Court or Court No 1.
“This is definitely the first on this level”.
The Swiss Maestro was greeted to a standing ovation upon his return to Centre Court on Monday. “I went out there trying to win”.
“Great, well done, I’m really so happy for the guy”.
Willis is a rank outsider for the match with Federer a 1/5 hot favourite to seal a straight sets victory. In the end, Federer did enough to simply great through, something the great champions always find a way to do.
It’s a stark contrast to the feel-good story he has become.
After the win, Willis clambered into the stands to celebrate with his supporters.
“I think he is a little bit torn, but I think he should get into the next tournament – in Newport I think – get out and play and keep the ball rolling while he’s got some money in the bank. Now it’s one of those dream stories, and that’s what makes Wimbledon special”.
“I’m not sure he can play on grass”, Willis said with a ideal deadpan delivery. “He plays well. Plus, he is serve and volleying, which I love to see.” . He came up with some great shots.
“You could see Berankis wondering what the hell was going on”.
Federer said: “People will know about (Willis’s story)”.
“I don’t know how he’ll do against Roger Federer but he’ll probably win a few of his serves”. It’s just wonderful, an unbelievable opportunity for him. While many will remember his improbable run for a long time, business is business, especially for third-seeded Federer.
Asked if he had been following the story of Willis, who set up a crowd-sourcing website in a bid to fund his career, the 17-time Grand Slam champion admitted he was as spellbound as the rest of the All England Club.
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Marcus Willis originally was scheduled to spend Monday teaching tennis to a group of 5-to-10-year-old kids, among others, at Warwick Boat Club in central England.
