Billy Harris was left “gutted” after he was unable to upset the odds against Nuno Borges at Wimbledon.
The 30-year-old picked up his first Grand Slam victory on Monday when he beat Dusan Lajovic, earning him a shot at world number 37 Borges.
It was always likely to be a difficult assignment and so it proved on No2 Court, as the Portuguese player secured a 6-3 6-4 7-6 win.
Later, on Court 2, fellow Brit Arthur Fery was losing 4-6, 3-6, to Italian player Luciano Darderi when play was suspended until Thursday due to poor lighting.
Harris had two set points to take the match to a fourth set, but both slipped through his grasp to leave him frustrated as he reflected in his post-match press conference.
“Yeah, just gutted I couldn't still be out there playing the full set,” Harris said.
“In the third set I thought I was playing a lot better than the first two sets and found my rhythm pretty well. Then not to take those set points, I got just gutted really.”
He added: “I played the way that I wanted to play in the tie-break, and I think I missed one passing shot by that much.
“Another short backhander that I committed to and just missed. I didn't play any shots that I regretted in the tie-break, so it is what it is.”
There have been encouraging signs for Harris, ranked 151st heading into the championships, in recent weeks, with a run to the quarter-finals at Eastbourne including a victory over compatriot Cameron Norrie.
Borges, though, was in efficient mood, needing only one break point to take the opening set. He then saved all six he faced in the second, including four in one game, to keep Harris at arm’s length on his way to moving a set from victory.
The tension grew with every hold in the third set, 11 of them in a row giving Harris a 6-5 lead and the chance to put some pressure on the Borges serve. The Briton got to 15-30, but Borges held firm to force a tie-break.
A great return gave Harris a mini-break and a 4-2 lead, before Borges dumped a forehand into the net to offer up two set points. Harris flicked a crosscourt pass inches wide and then found the net, as both opportunities slipped away.
Another unforced error provided Borges with a match point at 7-6 and, while he could not convert that, he did not let a second chance go begging.
Fery and Darderi will resume their second-round match on Thursday, with the British hope 4-6, 3-6 down to his Italian opponent.
