TENNIS NEWS – IT’S MARCUS WILLIS’ DAY AT WIMBLEDON BUT ROGER FEDERER IS THE ONE ROLLING INTO THIRD ROUND BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: on 29th June 2016
Wimbledon Championships
TENNIS NEWS - IT'S MARCUS WILLIS' DAY AT WIMBLEDON BUT ROGER FEDERER IS THE ONE ROLLING INTO THIRD ROUND BY RICKY DIMON

epa05397977 Marcus Willis of Britain reacts as he plays Roger Federer of Switzerland during their second round match at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 29 June 2016. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO COMMERCIAL SALES  |

It was unofficial Marcus Willis Day at Wimbledon, if not throughout all of London. The Cinderella story who has captivated the British sporting world this week may not have found the win column on Wednesday, but he will always be able to say that he played against Roger Federer on Centre Court at the All-England Club.

 

And he even gave a strong account of himself–well, at least after the first seven games.

 

Willis watched Federer storm to a 6-0, 1-0 advantage before the massive underdog finally held serve in this improbable second-round showdown. From there Willis dabbled into the realm of competitiveness before ultimately succumbing to the 17-time Grand Slam champion 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 25 minutes.

 

Marcus Willis of Great Britain returns to Roger Federer of Switzerland during thier second round match at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 29 June 2016 EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Using a wild mix of serve-and-volley tactics, unorthodox backhand slices, and lob after lob after lob, Willis treated an enthralled crowd to consistent entertainment during the second and third sets. The only time he got broken in the second, at 2-3, Willis pushed Federer to three deuces and had one game point. He also earned a break point to go up 4-3 in the third but could not convert.

 

“It was all just a blur,” the 25-year-old Brit commented. “It was amazing. I did enjoy myself even though I was getting duffed up. I loved every bit of it; not the duffing bit. I loved getting [into the match and] fighting hard. Just the whole experience was incredible.”

 

A lot more incredible, it has to be said, than giving tennis lessons. That’s what Willis had been doing at a local club before being forced to postpone some of those lessons by virtue of his borderline miracle run through pre-qualifying, qualifying, and round one of the main draw (beat Ricardas Berankis in straight sets).

 

“I was quite a bit intrigued even before he was in my section of the draw,” Federer said of the world No. 772.” After he qualified, I was reading a lot about his story. And then next thing you know, he’s like one match away from me if I win. Of course, then it happened. More and more stories build up. I felt very well prepared. I enjoyed it. I thought he played very well.”

 

“I’ll remember most of the Centre Court matches (I’ve played) here at Wimbledon, but this one will stand out because it’s that special and probably not going to happen again for me to play against a guy 770 in the world. That’s what stands out the most for me: the support he got, the great points he played.”

 

Speaking of standing out, Willis wore a Nike shirt with Federer’s RF logo on one of the sleeves. That’s right; Willis wore a shirt with his opponent’s logo on it; not something you see every day.

 

And what transpired on Centre Court today is something you may not see ever again.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

 

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Marcus Willis of Great Britain during thier second round match at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 29 June 201 EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

 

Topics: , , , , , , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.