Oliver Tarvet, 21, beat fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi in straight sets yesterday to set up a mouthwatering draw against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz - and he insists he remains confident ahead of the tie.
Alcaraz endured a tough test against 38-year-old Fabio Fognini on the opening day at the All England’s Club, with the Italian taking the 22-year-old the distance.
The world no 2 just had enough to take him through, after re-taking control of the tie in the final set.
Tarvet, alternatively, appeared comfortable in his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory, and has insisted that “nothing has changed” following his memorable victory.
Oliver Tarvet won his opening match in straight sets
Reuters
Noting the upcoming challenge against five-time Grand Slam winner, he said: "I feel like nothing has changed.
"I've come here and not really set myself any expectations. I'm quietly confident I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn't an exception to that.
"He's done an incredible amount in the tennis world. He's a difficult guy not to respect. I will just go out there and try and treat it like another match.
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Briton Oliver Tarvet will now face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second-round
Reuters
"At the end of the day, for me, I try and play the ball, not the player."
The Briton is currently enrolled at San Diego University, but can only claim £7,300 of his already-guaranteed purse of £99,000 due to rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which runs college sports, requiring players to stay amateur.
The remaining sum must be forfeited to maintain his amateur status.
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Despite this, Tarvet remained philosophical on the situation at hand, saying: "I'm not here for the money, I'm here for the crowd and the experience and just to stamp my mark. I think I've done a pretty good job so far.
"All the hard work I put in the last few years has clearly paid off. It's my first tour-level event, to come out here, come through qualifying, win a first-round match, have a chance to play maybe Carlos on Wednesday, it's just a dream come true."
Alcaraz spoke on facing the 21-year-old: "I saw his name when he qualified for the first time. He is playing in college right now and is playing great on grass.
"If he is in the second round, then he deserves it."
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Carlos Alcaraz went the distance with Fabio Fognini on Monday
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Compared to Tarvet’s two-hour contest on the same day, Alcaraz was on the field for nearly five hours in more than 30C heat.
Despite this, Alcaraz remains the odds-on favourite for the tournament.
Having said that, Wimbledon has seen some giant killings already this year.
Remarkably, four of the top-10 ranked men’s players in the tournament, along with three in the women’s, have already exited.
World no 3 women’s player Jessica Pegula was knocked out after her 2-6, 3-6 defeat against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and Alexander Zverev, no 3 men’s, also suffered defeat.
His match lasted two days after being delayed from Monday evening, and went the distance against 72nd-ranked Arthur Rinderknech, including three tie breakers.
Britain’s Tarvet will be hoping he can extend the record to five top-10 exits when he faces Alvarez on Wednesday.
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