Cameron Norrie won an all-English clash with rising star Jack Draper to reach the third round at Wimbledon, while Novak Djokovic overcame a fine fightback from Jacob Fearnley.
Draper had replaced Norrie as the No. 1 boys player in the country last month.
But former semi-finalist Norrie found form when it mattered in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory on Court one.
“It’s not easy to go out and play Jack, and we’re good friends on the field,” he said.
“I have to get rid of it. I’m a bit of an underdog but to be honest​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
“I feel good physically and want to trust my movements and my feet. The level is there and I used my experience against Jack.
“I was a little nervous at the end of the tie-break but I did it. It was a special day for me.”
It was a stunning – if startling – reminder of Wimbledon’s pedigree in the first meeting between the British men’s No. 1 and No. 2 at a Grand Slam since Tim Henman beat Greg Rusedski at the 2002 Australian Open.
No shots were fired in this latest battle of Britain until the first set of the tie-break, when Norrie’s drop shot left Draper scrambling lying behind the net.
Norrie’s volley to win the set left Draper muttering to his team, heaving his chest before throwing his racket away in disgust as he sat down.
A pumped-up Norrie broke a stiff Draper at the start of the second with the first break point of the match.
Less than 10 minutes later, Norrie had won 14 of the next 15 points to take a 4-0 lead en route to a two-set lead.
Draper needed five sets to beat Elias Ymer in round one and will need to do the same if he reaches the third round for the first time.
He finally made it 4-2 in the third with a stunning backhand winner past his left-hander.
Draper (left) and Norrie shake hands in net
However, when serving to the set, Draper was broken love, another cross-court pass followed by somewhere Norrie fist pump.
In the tie-break Draper saved one match point on his own serve, but when he double faulted Norrie made no mistake with the second.
Djokovic survives Fearnley’s fightback
Jacob Fearnley (right) congratulates Novak Djokovic on his win
Djokovic won 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5 and won 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5 and reached the third round of Wimbledon.
World number 277 Fearnley stunned the crowd as he took the third set 7-5 forcing seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic to work hard for his victory in the three-hour contest.
“I dropped my level,” said the Serbian. “I thought we had to do some things better in the third set to finish.
“I just had enough to win there in the fourth. I was a bit lucky to really get out of trouble and not break down.
“I hope I can raise my level in the coming rounds.”
While Djokovic can now wait for the third round match with Australia Alexei PopyrinFearnley patted himself on the back.
“I played the greatest tennis player of all time on Center Court, Wimbledon, so it’s very difficult to be disappointed,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to play on the field against that opponent. I’m as proud as I feel right now.”
The wild card, who was ranked outside the world’s top 500 just a month ago before taking almost 250 places after winning the second-tier Challenger event in Nottingham, made a memorable Center Court debut.
Fearnley earned a standing ovation from Djokovic after a fine volley won the third set and brought the crowd to their feet as he beat the Serbian in the sixth game.
Djokovic double-faulted to go down 15-40 in the sixth game, but the second seed was clutch to hold and broke the rookie to reach the third round week after surgery on the torn meniscus threatened the participation of Wimbledon.
Hubert Hurkacz dived for a volley during the fourth set tie-break against Frenchman Arthur Fils and suffered knee pain.
A potential obstacle for Djokovic removed itself when seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz, his predicted opponent in the quarter-finals, was injured on points.
The 27-year-old from Poland, who has been enjoying himself at this year’s Championships, dived to volley in the fourth set tie-break against France. Arthur Fils and knee pain.
Hurkacz, who ended Roger Federer’s Wimbledon career three years ago, tried to play after his knee was strapped up but managed only two points before retiring.
Grigor Dimitrov10 seed Bulgaria, had to come from two sets down to beat Chinese teenager Shang Juncheng, a player 14 years younger, in five.
American 13th seed Taylor Fritz needed four sets to overcome a stubborn Arthur Rinderknech and another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, won a battle of veterans 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) with Stan Wawrinka.
Australia’s ninth seed Alex de Minaur beat Spain’s Jaume Munar in straight sets, while Ben Sheltonthe 14th seeded American, won his fifth double setter of the week, 10-7 in the fifth set tie-break, to edge over South African Lloyd Harris.
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