Jan Choinski left everything he had on Wimbledon’s Court 17 and was satisfied with his dogged determination despite falling short in a five-set thriller.
The Brit came up against Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the first round and looked set to make it back-to-back second rounds in SW19 after going a set down as a rain delay helped him regroup to capture the next two.
However, as the British drizzle droned on in south-west London, Choinski was forced off court again and eventually lost his rhythm to go out 7-5 4-6 2-6 7-5 6-2.
It is all another learning curve for Choinski and he savoured just his second Wimbledon experience after making his debut last year.
He said: “It all came to the match today. Left it all out there, and sadly, wasn’t to be today, but hopefully in the future I can do better.
“I felt like after the first rain delay, especially when I was able to get that break in the second set, felt like I could grab the momentum.
“Then I played some very good tennis for the next two sets, winning the second and the third.
“Most of the fourth set even I felt like I’ve got good momentum here. Early in the set I had I think three break points in a row, him serving 0-40, I couldn’t convert that game.”
It may have been fine margins that cost Choinski in the end, not quite managing to capitalise on the opportunities that were presented to him, but the 28-year-old feels his preparations served him well.
On clay, Choinski powered his way to the semi-final of the Heilbronner Neckarcup in Germany last month and, at the LTA’s Rothesay International Eastbourne, lost out to eventual finalist Max Purcell in the first round.
With conditions and the luck draw on his side, he believes he can go from strength to strength on any surface following the top 200 player’s substantial grass-court season.
He added: “Last week when I played in Eastbourne, I lost to Purcell, who made finals.
“Having set point in the first set, and then pretty tough one.
“I did the best I could, and I’m really, really thankful for the trust and for everyone who gave me the wild card here or made it possible for me to play in the main draw.
“I think I just did the best of my ability.
“I hang in there today. I was fighting as much as I could, so I’m happy with that. But, of course, you want to do better in the future.”
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