Evans was not too impressed, though, by Willis’ choice of attire for the match – a shirt bearing Federer’s logo that he bought for last year’s Wimbledon but then did not play. “Next Wednesday might be quite different”. Only Rod Laver with 31 and Don Budge with 37 have won more in a row.
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I suppose I can relate to that in as much as you can’t avoid the top players in tennis if you want to win things, although to be honest I can understand it more in boxing because it’s a very risky sport.
Willis was in danger of suffering a humiliating defeat when he lost the first seven games, but he gathered himself sufficiently to test Federer.
“He’s just ridiculous. The big points he played ridiculously well”.
“I’m in talks now with production companies out of Los Angeles”, James said.
“It was all just a blur”.
Since being beaten by Tim Henman in the quarter-finals 15 years ago, Federer has now dropped only one set in six matches against Britons at the citadel of grasscourt tennis.
He only won his first match at Wimbledon on Monday, in four sets against Jan-Lennard Struff, but took apart a classy and experienced opponent in Ukrainian Dolgopolov.
A good week for the reformed characters of British men’s tennis got even better as Dan Evans equalled his best ever performance at a Grand Slam by reaching the third round.
“I have a lot to work on, a lot to improve”. In the first set I was in a lot of games I just didn’t get on the board, and I played one bad game in the third set and he punishes you – he’s class.
Assessing his performance, which gradually improved after Federer had taken the first seven games, the 25-year-old added. “I am disappointed to lose”.
What struck James as special was not just the player’s run to the second round – after getting a wildcard into the qualifying tournament – but the part his girlfriend, the dentist Jennifer Bate, played in persuading him not to quit the sport when he was disillusioned and struggling with injury. That shot in the third game that even Federer applauded and allowed Willis to boast with a chuckle later: “I can say, ‘I lobbed Roger Federer.'” A 113 miles per hour ace Willis celebrated with arms raised.
“At the net he said “Keep going, this is where you belong, keep sticking at it, top 50 tennis”. So that’s exciting for me if I’m playing like this”. “Should be dining out on it for a while, I would think”.
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He is set for a massive reality check, however, after revealing on BBC’s Today at Wimbledon last night that he has a doubles match in the Coventry League today.
