Jack Draper marked his first Wimbledon match as British men's number one by evoking memories of Andy Murray with a five-set success under the Centre Court lights.
Draper, seeded 28th, started tentatively against Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer - and lost his way in the fourth set - before coming through to win 3-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the first round.
The 22-year-old replaced Murray in the evening slot on the iconic show court, with the former world number one having withdrawn through injury earlier on Tuesday.
Draper provided a timely pick-me-up for the home fans disappointed by Murray's misfortune.
Making his return to Wimbledon after being injured himself last year, Draper celebrated clinching victory at 21:15 BST by whacking a ball into the jubilant crowd.
"I know you wanted to see Andy out here but you were stuck with me instead," he joked.
"The crowd helped me massively. I love playing in front of loads of people. There were some nervy moments and I really appreciate the support, it means a lot."
In round two, he will face Cameron Norrie - the player he deposed as Britain's leading man last month.
Norrie, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022, sealed a 7-5 7-5 6-3 win over Argentina's Facundo Diaz Acosta shortly before Draper's victory.
It ended a run of four successive tour-level defeats for Norrie, who has dropped outside the world's top 40 after first-round defeats at the French Open, Queen's and Eastbourne.
He and Draper were among 11 Britons playing on the second day of the 2024 Championships.
Latest Stories
-
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
39 mins -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
40 mins -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
40 mins -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
41 mins -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
46 mins -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
47 mins -
Retain NPP for the good of Ghana – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
48 mins -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
49 mins -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
52 mins -
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
54 mins -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
1 hour -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
1 hour -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
1 hour -
NCCE engages political youth activists at Kumbungu on tolerance
1 hour -
‘In Mahama’s era students lacked chalk, but are now receiving tablets’ – Bawumia
1 hour