Mark Ceban is relishing playing in front of big crowds at Wimbledon after booking his place in the third round of the boys’ singles on Wednesday.
Ceban edged a three-set thriller 6-2 3-6 7-6(6) against South Korea’s Hoyoung Roh in front of a packed-out Court 4.
It continues the Surrey star’s strong form after he defeated fifth seed Luca Preda in the first round 7-6(2) 6-4.
And Ceban is already looking forward to playing in front of fans again, when he takes on Maxim Mrva for a place in the quarter-finals.
“It was a really good win,” he said. “It was really nice to play in front of that crowd, they were really supportive of me. Especially in the big moments, in the third set tie-break, they really helped push me on.
“My energy dropped a bit in the second set and they really helped boost me on. That helped me across the line.”
Ceban had never faced his Korean opponent before but made a strong start to take the first set 6-2 before Roh hit back to send the match to a decider.
But Ceban revealed the deciding set is where he comes alive and he believes his tennis improves under pressure.
He added: “I actually enjoy third sets. I have played so many of them, I have played a lot of matches from a set down and I think my level goes up in a third set. I thrive on it.
“You have to focus on yourself. If you do everything you can do then everything else will sort itself out.
“I just have to believe I can win and take it one point at a time. I try not to think too far ahead.”
Ceban, who was given a wildcard into Wimbledon, will face 10th seed Mrva of Czechia in the third round before either second seed Nicolai Budkov Kjaer or fifteenth seed Cooper Woestendick await.
But the 15-year-old insists he is not looking to far ahead despite a strong start in SW19.
“I am just going to keep seeing what happens,” he said. “One match at a time. I haven’t checked who I am playing next. I will just see how it goes.”
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