SPORTS
Marcus Willis, the Briton whose tennis fairytale enchanted Wimbledon last year, made a strong start to his latest adventure to reach the main draw of the world's biggest tournament on Monday as he won his first qualifying match at Roehampton.
Marcus Willis, the Briton whose tennis fairytale enchanted Wimbledon last year, made a strong start to his latest adventure to reach the main draw of the world's biggest tournament on Monday as he won his first qualifying match at Roehampton.
The 26-year-old, whose rise from obscurity to a Centre Court date with Roger Federer captured the nation's imagination, began his 2017 odyssey by defeating Slovakia's Andrej Martin 7-5 7-5 in the first qualifying round.
This time last year, Willis embarked on a run that saw him come through pre-qualifying, qualifying and the first round of the main draw before the adventure was finally ended by Federer, who was happy to play a supporting role to the happy-go-lucky Willis.
The story of the club coach who had been about to give up the sport until his girlfriend Jennifer persuaded him to carry on captured the headlines last year as his noisy fan club cheered on 'Will Bomb' at courtside.
Now the world No.374 Willis is hoping to reprise his 2016 achievements, starting off his campaign to make the main draw next week by defeating Martin, who is ranked 226 places higher.
Just as last year, though, Willis, who must win three rounds to make the singles draw even though he has been given a wild card to compete in the doubles, made a nonsense of the rankings with his backhand slice and grasscourt nous earning him crucial breaks at 5-5 in both sets.
Asked if it had been an emotional return to the qualifying venue a few miles from Wimbledon, Willis told the BBC: "I was a bit nervy at the start. You have to just forget it. As soon as emotions get involved, you can crumble.
"It's very easy to choke under the pressure. That's what I've been doing well to avoid."
There is also a new plotline in Willis's 2017 story. After last year's event, he got married and has become a father to baby Martha, who was at courtside with mother Jennifer on Monday.
"Martha's my lucky mascot," he said. "She doesn't have a clue what's going on but as long as she's got her milk, she's fine!"
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
KL Rahul breaks silence on LSG exit in IPL, says, ‘I wanted to go…’
Khushi Kapoor wears bracelet with rumoured boyfriend Vedang Raina's name, see viral photo
Meet man who leads Rs 243890 crore company, lost Rs 21735 crore in one day after...
IND vs SA: Varun Chakravarthy takes 5-wicket-haul but enters THIS unwanted record in 2nd T20I
Sustainability Takes Center Stage in US Manufacturing with Leader Viralsinh Solanki at the Forefront
How to Crack the CTET Exam in 1st Attempt?
'Trump visits India': Man perfectly mimics Donald Trump's 'love' for India, watch viral video
Manipur: 11 suspected militants killed in gunfight with security forces in Jiribam
Ram Gopal Varma booked for offensive posts against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Will MrBeast make a video with Virat Kohli? World's biggest YouTuber drops massive hint
This cricketer once walked out to bat with an aluminium bat against England, refused to...
Bigg Boss 18: Rajat Dalal shuts down Vivian Dsena, says 'tera naukar thodi hoon'
Meet actor who cheated on wife with multiple women, got divorced, remarried same woman but...
Aryan to Anaya: Ex-Indian cricketer, coach's son undergoes sex change surgery
Shillong Teer Result OUT for November 11, 2024: First and second round Monday lottery results here
How US Vice President-elect JD Vance found love in Indian-origin Usha Chilukuri, know their story
Maruti Suzuki launches new Dzire: Check price, features of Tata Tiago, Honda Amaze rival
Sebi’s Rs 25 crore penalty plea against Mukesh Ambani dismissed by SC in THIS case
Big blow to former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna as SC denies bail in rape case
6,6,6,6,6,4,4,4,4,4: Shubman Gill's MASSIVE 268 runs in Ranji against...
Berjis Desai’s crime thriller “Murder at the Racecourse” keeps you on the edge
'We went totally wrong...': Rohit Shetty opens up on casting Arjun Kapoor in Singham Again
Shah Rukh Khan's Marjaani gets BTS makeover, watch Jungkook, V, Suga's viral dance
'India's finest': Netizens pour in emotional tributes as Vistara readies for last flight today
Vistara to make last flight today before Air India merger, all you need to know
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal offers job to X user who suggested THIS BIG change
What is Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani's son Anant Ambani's annual salary? Know all about his net worth
Veteran actor Delhi Ganesh cremated with Air Force honours, here's why
'We got the...': Germany grooves to Marathi song Taambdi Chamdi, netizens go berserk; WATCH
Kamal Hassan asks fans to not call him 'Ulaganayagan', says 'this decision comes from....'
'I fell and it went...': Vijay Deverakonda REACTS after video of him falling down stairs goes viral
BIG update on Rohit Sharma's participation in 1st Test against Australia, he is all set to…
Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes oath as 51st Chief Justice of India
Ajay Devgn spills the beans on his 14-year-old son Yug's love life, says 'he is not afraid....'
11/11: Why November 11 is a good day for manifestation? Know how, when you can manifest today
Onion prices rise to Rs 80 per kg: Check rates in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai
Guru Purab Bank Holiday November 15: Are banks open or closed on Guru Nanak Jayanti?
Meet Indian genius, world's youngest female Chartered Accountant who secured AIR 1, she is from...
Delhi continues to choke amid rising air pollution, AQI breaches 350...
Avatar 3: New posters of James Cameron's film feature fire tribe, stunning visuals go viral
This country lets male tourists marry women for a few days due to....
Maharashtra polls: Congress suspends seven more rebel candidates
Meet man who quit high-paying job in US, then built Rs 150 crore company in India, his business is…
Viral video: Little girl wins heart with adorable dance to 'aayi nai' song, watch
Queen Elizabeth's 1947 wedding cake slice sold in auction at this SHOCKING price
Viral video: Woman's sizzling dance to 'tere liye' leaves internet drooling, watch
Meet man who leads Rs 185985 crore company as CEO, son of Indian billionaire, he is...
'We don't encourage...': Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal launches new feature 'Food Rescue' to reduce...
Before Pakistani TikTok star Minahil Malik, actress Rida Isfahani's MMS video leaked online by...
Watch: Virat Kohli gets annoyed at Mumbai airport, asks paps to stay away from…
Watch: David Miller's spectacular one-handed catch shocks Tilak Varma in IND vs SA 2nd T20I