World No.4 Casper Ruud has become the biggest casualty of Wimbledon, losing to British underdog Liam Broady in a stunning second round upset.
Broady, ranked 142, has never made the second week of a grand slam, but electrified the crowd with his 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 win in three and a half hours on Centre Court.
Broady, from Stockport, just outside Manchester, said he would’ve preferred to beat Ruud in his hometown.
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“But Centre Court at Wimbledon will do,” he said to loud cheers.
“When I went to bed last night I had a think about what I’d say if I won the match, and I don’t really know what to say now.
“Yeah, it’s a pretty terrifying, exhilarating experience coming out on Centre Court at Wimbledon. I mean, it’s been my dream since I was five years old.”
Watch Wimbledon 2023 live and free on 9now. Alternatively, you can stream every match live, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport, with centre court in 4K UHD
Aussie underdog wins opening-round Wimbledon clash
Broady was then asked about his heart-rate, and also that of his family watching the biggest win of his career from the stands.
And he found the perfect time for a joke.
“Well, I said to my mum this morning – she doesn’t like to watch – I said, ‘Look I’ve already won 80 grand this week, so you don’t need to worry.’
“She can make me dinner again tonight.”
Broady’s next opponent will be Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the world No.29.
“Denis is a mercurial talent. He’s one of the best players in the world, as Casper is… he’s won junior Wimbledon, he’s an amazing player, but with a crowd like this, why not have a crack again.”
Thursday was the first day free of interruption from weather at the All England Club.
Only eight matches were completed on day two on Tuesday, and they were all played on either Centre Court or No.1 Court, the only courts with roofs.
Because of the all the disruption, there were a handful of first-round matches played on day three.
Normally, the first Thursday of the tournament would wrap up the second round.
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