Jan Choinski wants to continue waltzing his way through Wimbledon when he takes to the second round stage against Hubert Hurkacz today.
The German-born player, who qualifies as British through his ballet dancing mother from Southampton, beat Serbian Dusan Lajovic on Monday in what marked the biggest result of his career.
Choinski, 27, has a Polish father and will now tussle with the Central European nation’s No.1 star – and 17th SW19 seed – Hurkacz for a place in the last 32.
The British No.6 played regularly with Hurkacz, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2021, as a junior and hopes a familiarity with his gameplan can keep his fairytale run alive.
“We had great contact as juniors and played many doubles tournaments together,” he said.
“I’m always great friends with the Polish squad – we practiced together a lot and [Hubert] has done very good for himself.
“I’m happy to see him where he is right now and thankful for the challenge to be able to play him.”
Jodie Burrage hopes to continue banishing her injury demons when she comes up against Russian player and 11th seed Daria Kasatkina.
The British No.2, 24, dropped just four games in breezing past American Caty McNally on Monday after enduring a gruelling few years on the circuit.
Burrage’s memorable Court 3 triumph catapulted her into the world’s top 100 and she will now bid to stun Kasatkina, 26, who was a beaten finalist at Eastbourne last week.
The Surrey star, whose rugby-playing boyfriend Ben White has just signed for Toulon after London Irish entered administration, said: “I’ve dealt with a lot of injuries throughout my career, and a lot of people telling me that I couldn’t get to the top.
“After my third ankle operation, my mind had decided that that was it and that was my tennis career done.
“But I somehow got back on the horse with help from family and friends, and my boyfriend as well, which really helped push through that not-so-nice time.
“It’s going to be a very tough match – she’s a great player but I’ll go out there, give my all, fight like I always do and see what happens.”
Liam Broady will need to battle past ‘beast’ Casper Ruud if he is to emulate his run to the third round last year.
The Stockport star, 29, toppled Constant Lestienne in straight sets on Monday and ahead of his meeting with world No.4 Ruud, a finalist at the previous French and US Opens, said: “Casper has a beast of a game.
“He absolutely rips the ball and is a physical beast in his own way.
“I think it will be a fantastic opportunity. This is the reason I play tennis, is to get these opportunities.”
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