By Niall Clarke
- Liam Broady comes from two sets down to defeat Marinko Matosevic
- The Brit came through 5-7,4-6,6-3,6-2,6-3.
- Plays David Goffin next
Liam Broady battled back from two sets down to defeat Marinko Matosevic, thus claiming his biggest career victory at Wimbledon on Monday.
The world number 181 is competing in his first grand slam event after receiving a wildcard in to the main draw. Initially it looked like his stay at The All England club would be a short one, as the Stockport native found himself two sets to love down against his Aussie opponent.
However, with his sister Naomi cheering him on from the stands of court 18, Broady began to bite back at the ‘Mad Dag’. The Brit took advantage of the erratic nerves of his opponent, breaking early in the third set before sealing it 6-3.
With the crowd now in to the match and backing Broady all the way, the 21 year old began to take over. A double break in the fourth set was enough to seal it 6-2, leading us to a one set shootout for the match.
Matosevic, ranked 138 in the world, broke early in the fifth. But his lead did not last long as Broady was able to muster up the energy to break back. The Brit now the fresher of the two players pounced at 3-3 to earn a break in the final set.
After a hold for 5-3, the pressure was now on Matosevic to serve to stay in the match. With the finish line in his sights, Broady stepped up his game and on the second attempt, broke serve to secure an emotional five sets victory.
It was undoubtedly the biggest win of the career of a man who has mainly applied his trade on the challenger circuit until this point. In his first grand slam main draw match, he battled hard to come from near the brink of defeat to overcome his higher ranked opponent and ensure his Wimbledon adventure continues.
Broady left the court with the crowd cheering his name, and it will be a moment he will surely never forget. He will now turn his focus to David Goffin who needed only three sets to defeat Horacio Zeballos earlier today.
Maybe the win will tempt Broady into shaving his beard eh?
Broady will play his second round match against Goffin on Wednesday.