Paul Jubb, Nature Valley Open Nottingham 2019
Paul Jubb, Nature Valley Open Nottingham 2019 | (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA)

Tennis | Wimbledon 2024 | Paul Jubb maintaining belief and hard work after five set defeat, Harris ‘disappointed’ despite improvement

By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon

  • Thiago Seyboth Wild def Paul Jubb [WC] 1-6 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 7-5
  • Jaume Munar def Billy Harris [WC] 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3
  • Luciano Darderi def Jan Choinski [WC] 7-5 4-6 2-6 7-5 6-2
  • Marcos Giron def Henry Searle [WC] 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
LONDON, ENGLAND – Paul Jubb believes he belongs at Grand Slam level after a five set defeat to Thiago Seyboth Wild while Billy Harris was ‘disappointed’ in his first round exit despite his recent rise up the rankings.

 

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Thiago Seyboth Wild def Paul Jubb [WC] 1-6 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 7-5

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It was heart-break for Paul Jubb as he lost in a five set thriller to Thiago Seyboth Wild in a match that lasted over four hours.

The Brit cruised through the first two sets as he took advantage of Seyboth Wild’s poor movement on a surface that is unfamiliar to the Brazilian.

A break of serve early in the third set saw Jubb edging towards a maiden Wimbledon victory.

However, Seyboth Wild gradually started to play more aggressive and attacking tennis and earned the break back with the third set being decided on a tiebreak.

It was a dramatic tiebreak as Jubb elevated his level of play and created match point in the tiebreak.

The Brazilian remained firm as he saved match point and took the tiebreak 8-6 before levelling the match at two sets all in the following set.

All the momentum was with Seyboth Wild as he broke early in the fifth set and would serve for the match.

There would be another plot twist as Jubb’s persistent pressure on return paid off as the Brit broke back for 5-5.

In the end Seyboth Wild’s quality and experience saw him limp over the finish line as Jubb failed to hold onto his serve.

After the match Jubb said there wasn’t much he could do once the momentum was against him and also spoke about the fact that not winning a match at Wimbledon before was a factor in his defeat.

“I think he just started playing much better. Like, I don’t think I played worse, like much worse,” Jubb explained in his press conference.

“I felt like I maintained a decent level throughout the majority of the match. But I think the biggest difference was he started serving better. So to break him became a lot tougher. His first-serve percentage and was hitting the spots. I didn’t quite serve as well as I could today. So, yeah, just as the match went on, I think him serving better and making it tougher for me to break was what kept him in. Then started to gain more momentum.

“I think you’re obviously aware of the momentum shift. You try and do your best to kind of put a stop it, but I don’t feel like… Yeah, in the moment I was able to stay pretty present and just try and do my best in that moment. But, yeah, I think credit to him the way he was just able to, yeah, produce as it went on and not give me as many looks as what I had earlier on.

“Yeah, I think that’s the main thing what’s kind of hanging over my head right now is I really wanted to tick that one off the list as one of my childhood dreams. One point away is brutal. So that’s the thing what’s kind of in my mind right now. It is what it is, and all you can do is move forward from it, keep going. I’m on a positive trend. So I just have to keep working hard.”

It’s a frustrating result for Jubb as the Brit entered Wimbledon in good form having reached the semi-finals in Mallorca, where he defeated Ben Shelton along the way.

Despite the result at Wimbledon Jubb spoke about the belief he took from his semi-final run in Mallorca and feels he belongs at this level having earned some incredible wins over the last two weeks.

“Yeah, it’s good to get rewarded for the hard work you put in. So I think that was just the main thing, I think,” Jubb explained.

“The people who are with me daily training and I myself know what level I’m capable of and what I produce day in-day out. Yeah, so it’s there and then to actually do it, get rewarded for it was great. As you said, a huge positive for me and a big confidence boost. So hopefully just keep trending in that direction and more good things will hopefully come.

Yeah, for sure. This is definitely where I feel I belong. As I said earlier, my level is there. I’m good enough to compete in the top 100 and beat top-100 guys. But, you know, I was injured and had to start from scratch.

“So, yeah, just got to work my way up, which I’m doing right now, but hopefully the past results I’ve had, the performances consistently putting out on the court shows that what I’m capable of and where my level is and where I belong.”

 

Jaume Munar def Billy Harris [WC] 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3

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Another player who had good form heading into Wimbledon but ultimately fell in the first round was Billy Harris.

The Brit reached the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club and semi-finals at Eastbourne as he is on the cusp of a place in the world’s top 100.

However, that form didn’t translate into Wimbledon as Harris lost his debut match at Wimbledon to Jaume Munar in four sets.

After the match Harris admitted he was ‘disappointed’ to lose given his recent form but praised Munar’s performance.

“Yeah, definitely disappointed. Going into the match, after the last couple weeks, felt like I could definitely — it was a winnable match,” Harris said in his press conference.

“He played well. He played better than the other Spanish or South American guys that I’ve played on grass. A couple of those guys I’ve played don’t move as well as he did today. He played a good match. Overall he played a bit better than me today, so that was it.”

It was Harris’ first time at Wimbledon and earned his wildcard with some great results over the past year.

An experience to savour for Harris in front of his family, even if it would have been nicer for Harris to have won his opening round match.

“It was a good atmosphere. My family and friends. The crowd were a great support all the way through the match. Yeah, it was nice to walk out there for my first match here in the main draw,” Harris stated.

“Great feeling at the start. Then obviously when you lose, it’s not quite the same. I went out there feeling good about my game, but beat by the better guy on the day today.”

Despite the defeat, there are plenty of positives for Harris to take as he is now 116 in the world and is aiming to keep improving his rankings.

Speaking ahead of an exciting rest of the year, Harris said he has been happy about his recent progress and is looking forward to what the future will bring.

“I was happy to come in and put some good runs together,” Harris explained.

“I guess it’s gone well for me over the last few weeks. The ranking is on the rise. Although I lost today, my game’s in a good place and I feel like I’m improving.”

 

 

Luciano Darderi def Jan Choinski [WC] 7-5 4-6 2-6 7-5 6-2

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A year on from winning his first ever match at Wimbledon, Jan Choinski couldn’t repeat the trick as he lost in five sets to Italian Luciano Darderi.

The Brit looked to be in control when he took a two sets to one lead but ultimately it was a fifth set defeat for Choinski.

After the match Choinski put his grass court season in perspective as he reflected on a difficult period in terms of results.

“Results-wise, it wasn’t the best grass court season. You have to see it how it is. But I felt I was playing some good matches,” Choinski openly said in his press conference.

“I came to Nottingham with an hour practice after playing that semifinal on clay the week before. Only was able to hit an hour, and then I had to play the match. But still I used it as practice to get one match in prior to everything that was supposed to come after that. I played good matches. You know, all of the matches that I lost were pretty close. Lots of tiebreaks, three-setters.

“Last week when I played in Eastbourne, I lost to Purcell, who made finals. Having set point in the first set, and then pretty tough one. I did the best I could, and I’m really, really thankful for the trust and for everyone who gave me the wild card here or made it possible for me to play in the main draw.

“I think I just did the best of my ability. I hang in there today. I was fighting as much as I could, so I’m happy with that. But, of course, you want to do better in the future.”

It’s been an up and down season for Choinski who has qualified for a couple of ATP events but has lacked consistency in the lower events.

Given his lack of recent confidence, Choinski said that he would happily settle for the performance he produced against Darderi.

“Yeah, I feel good, to be honest. Maybe didn’t get the win, but I gave it my all,” Choinski said.

“I was practicing very hard for the past weeks, trying to adapt onto grass court as good as possible. And I feel like played a pretty good match. Happy with getting into the fifth set. Obviously not the result that I wanted, but still very positive.”

 

Marcos Giron def Henry Searle [WC] 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-4

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A great experience for last year’s Juniors champion Henry Searle as he pushed the in-form Marcos Giron to four sets in his opening round match.

The wildcard took the opening set and test Giron in the next three sets with Searle nearly breaking back when Giron was serving for the match.

In the end it was small margins that decided the match as Searle learned a big lesson in his Wimbledon main draw debut.

After the match Searle said he’s going to keep improving in order to be at these events more often and performances like this give him the confidence to keep competing.

“Yeah, I mean, it gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. And knowing that you can compete with guys at that level, yeah, gives you a lot of inspiration for the rest of the season and also the years after as well,” Searle explained in his press conference.

“Yeah, it’s the goal to obviously play here every year. It’s an amazing tournament. Yeah, I’m going to keep working and keep improving as much as possible, and hopefully I’ll be back next year.”

 

 

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