A hilarious and rare attempt at a serve occurred during the all-British encounter between Dan Evans and Jay Clarke on Court 12 on Tuesday, leaving the commentators baffled.
Both entered the match as qualifiers, with Evans’ experience telling after he ran out 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 victor.
But it was a moment in the penultimate game that caught the spectators' eyes, when 26-year-old Clarke attempted an audacious underarm against Andy Murray’s Paris Olympics doubles partner.
The decision left commentators Andrew Cotter and Dominic Inglot utterly astonished.
The attempt left Jay Clarke feeling slightly embarrassed BBCCotter said: “Oh dear. That caught everyone by surprise and left us rather disappointed.
“I hope he is chuckling at that one, it just about reached the bottom of the net. Is that the worst attempt we have ever seen at an underarm serve?”
The serve was followed by a chorus of laughter from the crowd.
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Commentator Andrew Cotter said the attempt left spectators feeling 'disappointed'
BBC
Clarke then went on to double fault after the audacious attempt, leaving Cotter aghast at the decision.
“I mean, I’m just not sure what to make of that. Dan Evans coming in and getting in Clarke’s head again there,” he added.
“The attempt at the first underarm serve was... I’m not sure what was going through his head.”
The errors came just after Clarke’s vicious ace moments earlier, leaving commentators and spectators alike to question the decision even further.
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The world no 196 would make amends for his mistakes by winning the game.
It was to no avail, as Evans ran out victorious just minutes later, though, marking his first victory in the tournament since 2021, where he reached the third round.
Speaking on court after the match, the 35-year-old said: “I never stopped believing, but you have doubts. I had so many friends here today to just enjoy today, whatever happened.
“Today meant everything. Yes, wildcard versus wildcard, but that’s one of my top, top wins in my career.”
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Dan Evans now faces a potential clash with Novak Djokovic in the second-round
Reuters
The win sets up a mouthwatering potential second-round fixture against Novak Djokovic, who plays French no 4 Alexandre Muller later this evening.
Evans expressed his delight at the potential of playing such a legendary future in the game, on the biggest stage of them all.
He added: “I wanted to win just to have a chance at Novak. That’s the bottom line! I’d love it to be on Centre [Court]. That’s all I ask, against the greatest of all time.”
Evans, who has reached four ATP finals to date, broke down in tears in his pre-Wimbledon press conference over his struggles on the court recently.
The Briton claimed he felt “like you’ve let someone down” during his emotional outburst.
Fortunately, his comfortable performance against Clarke on Tuesday will quell any fears, as he looks forward to a potential match against the seven-time champion.
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