Billy Harris and Anna Brogan battled their way into the final round of Wimbledon Qualifying in a busy day of action in Roehampton.
Manxman Harris, currently ranked 346th in the world, shocked 25th seed and former world No.58 Hugo Gaston 2-6 7-6(5) 6-4 to reach round three of the qualifying draw.
Harris, who received a wildcard into the main draw, had never faced an opponent quite like Gaston before, but rallied from a set down to prevail.
He said: “The first set I started slowly and I got broken in the first game, and I was finding it tricky because he was awkward.
“Then I started serving better in the second set, and got used to his different angles that he uses. By the third set I was feeling a lot better.
“It definitely took me that first set, because I was struggling on the return, because he was mixing it up well, but I figured out my serve a bit more in the second set – and then the game changed.”
Brogan also faced a tough task in the form of fifth seed Diana Shnaider, who has reached the second round of both the Australian Open and French Open as a qualifier this year.
But it was the Brit who won an impressive opening set, and then saved a set point in a dramatic second set tiebreak to claim a 6-3 7-6(9) victory – her first ever over a player in the top 100.
She said: “What a privilege to be through again to the next round and to be here – I’m so happy. This sport can be so difficult, so it’s brilliant to win.
“I went down in the tiebreak and I just kept breathing, staying calm and trying my best. I’m really satisfied to have kept working away out there.
“It’s really brilliant – I’m just absolutely chuffed!”
Brogan will face Bai Zhuoxuan on Thursday, while Harris takes on Hamad Medjedovic.
Also in action was Johannus Monday, who performed well in a tough contest against former top 40 player Radu Albot.
Moldovan Albot came from a set down to beat Monday 3-6 7-6(2) 6-2, though there were plenty of positives for the Brit to take ahead of his men’s doubles campaign at the All England Club.
Toby Samuel also saw his campaign come to an end in three sets, with the 20-year-old losing 5-7 6-1 6-4 to Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro in their second round contest, while Charles Broom was beaten 6-3 6-5 by the experienced Dennis Novak.
In women’s action, Lily Miyazaki’s qualifying campaign was ended by China’s Yue Yuan, the 11th seed winning their encounter 6-3 6-4.
Naiktha Bains pushed 29th seed and former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Viktorija Golubic in their second round contest, though ultimately it was the Swiss who won 3-6 6-3 6-2.
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
