LONDON, June 29, 2016
Marcus Willis‘ dream run at Wimbledon has come to an end on a rain interrupted Wednesday at the All England Tennis Club. The world number 772 from Slough lost to Roger Federer 6-0, 6-3, 6-4, but clearly enjoyed his appearance under the roof on centre court taking on the seven-time Wimbledon champion. The 25-year-old has become the lowest ranked British man to win a singles match when he defeated Ricardas Berankis on Monday.
Centre Court. Playing Roger Federer.
No wonder Marcus Willis can’t stop smiling…#Wimbledon https://t.co/R7h3VRIvnr
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) 29. Juni 2016
Willis was supported by his friends and family and couldn’t stop smiling while he was warming with Federer ahead of the biggest match of his career. With nine aces, Willis hit as many as the Swiss maestro, but also produced 21 unforced errors. Federer won 91 of the 156 points played to seal a comfortable victory in one hour and 24 minutes.
“I thought Marcus brought some unbelievable energy to the match with the crowd and his play. It was very refreshing to play someone like this,” said Federer, who will next play either Dan Evans or Alexandr Dolgopolov. “I knew it was going to be a different match than anything I’d ever played before at Wimbledon. It was a pleasure for me to play against him.”
Willis is also a team member of the Marienburger Sport Club in Cologne, which currently plays in Germany’s regional league. His team members kept the fingers crossed in front of the TV.
“He won every of singles match this season,” told Christian Hansen, team captain of the Marienburger Sport Club on German television ahead of Willis’ match. “Unfortunately, he didn’t play too many ties, as he also participates in France but he seems to enjoy playing in our team. He is a great guy and he fits perfectly in our team. We hope that we will stay with us for another season next year. “
Concerning today’s match Willis told:
“It is daunting. I was enjoying it out there. If I was playing well and competing with Roger for a couple of sets, I was doing well.
“I am disappointed to lose. I didn’t play as well as I could but I can hold my head high. I have had a fantastic couple of weeks. I will keep going and do what I have been doing,” he said and added:
“There is life after Wimbledon and I want more experiences like this. I have earned myself a beer now.”
Earlier the day, world number one Novak Djokovic beat Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3, 7-6. The 29-year-old from Serbia converted three of his seven break points to prevail in two hours and four minutes.
The win gave Djokovic sole ownership of third place on the all-time list for most consecutive victories in Grand Slam play. Only Rod Laver with 31 and Don Budge with 37 have won more in a row.
Asked whether he was surprised to reach the 30-match mark, Djokovic said: “No, not so much, because I do have lots of expectations for myself.”
“But I’m very grateful obviously for the fact I’m able to play on such a high level consistently in the Grand Slam tournaments that matter the most in our sport,” he added. “Definitely that is a stat that I’m very proud of.”
Djokovic now awaits the winner of the match between Sam Querrey and Thomaz Bellucci.
Elsewhere, Mercedes Cup winner Dominic Thiem ousted Gerry Weber Open champion Florian Mayer 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. The eighth seed from Austria fired 14 aces and hit 43 winners to advance in one hour and 36 minutes. Thiem will next face Jiri Vesely, who beat Igor Sijsling 6-2, 6-4, 7-6.
