Marcus Willis' Wimbledon fairytale looks set to deliver a Centre Court date with Roger Federer after he wrote another hugely unlikely chapter by beating Ricardas Berankis.
Britain's world number 772 took time out from his coaching job at Warwick Boat Club to enter pre-qualifying two weeks ago and six victories later found himself in the draw for the world's most prestigious tennis tournament.
Lithuanian Berankis is an established tour player ranked 54th but he simply had no answer to Willis' talent and exuberance, backed up by a raucous cheer squad.
The 25-year-old, who lives with his parents in Wokingham, won the opening two games and never looked back, raising his arms aloft in celebration and continuing disbelief after clinching a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory.
Willis has described his presence at Wimbledon as "ridiculous" and "surreal".
The story has captured the imagination of tennis fans, and hundreds of people gathered at tiny Court 17 - a baffling piece of scheduling - to try to catch a glimpse of the action.
Willis warmed up to the strains of "Willbomb's on fire, Berankis is terrified" as his supporters adopted the infectious song about Northern Ireland footballer Will Grigg.
Far from maintaining a disciplined focus, Willis bobbed his head along and, when the chant at one changeover called for "Shoes off if you love Willis" he held up a spare trainer.
This was not your average Wimbledon match, and Willis is not your average professional player.
His unorthodox game of low slices off both forehand and backhand and deft volleys drove Berankis to distraction, and his serve helped him save 19 of 20 break points.
He does not have the figure of an elite athlete, meanwhile, despite losing a lot of weight since the days when a heckler dubbed him 'Cartman' after the overweight South Park character.
Willis almost quit the game earlier this year only to be talked out of it by his new girlfriend Jenny, who works as a dentist.
He still opted not to return to the tour immediately, working as a coach to earn money and playing French and German league matches at weekends.
He need not worry about money for a while, for reaching the second round means a guaranteed £50,000.
It is also almost certain to earn him a shot at 17-time grand slam champion Federer, who was just beginning his second-round match against Argentina's Guido Pella.
Source: PA
