MARCUS WILLIS’ hopes of a Wimbledon return were shattered at the hands of Ukrainian Illya Marchenko this afternoon.
Former Forest School pupil Willis, 26, made his Grand Slam debut last year, reaching the second round at SW19 before losing to Roger Federer.
And the Brit came close to making a return to the singles draw, reaching the final round of qualifying, but his hopes were dashed in straight sets by Marchenko, losing 6-4, 6-1, 7-6.
Willis struggled with a knee injury throughout, a problem he picked up in the last round against Liam Broady.
It was a tight opening to the first set with Willis demonstrating his big serves and impressive drop shot and lob combinations.
However, from as early as the fifth game it was clear to see ‘Willbomb’ was struggling with his knee, but it was Marchenko who called for the trainer to treat a neck injury.
Willis had the first break point opportunity of the match after a wonderful rally in the seventh game, but Marchenko held before eventually breaking to win the set 6-4 after Willis collapsed from 30-0 with a couple of double faults.
The second set was a one-sided affair with Willis winning his first point in 11 attempts to level up at 1-1, but from there the Ukrainian ran off five straight games to take it 6-1 after the Brit had his knee taped up.
The former Wokingham schoolboy, ranked 374 in the world, is known for his shock victories but another did not look on at Roehampton against a man ranked over 250 places higher than him.
But he did battle through the pain barrier in the third set, taking it all the way to a tie-break.
Willis led 4-3 in the breaker, but Marchenko stepped through the gears to win it 7-4 and claim victory.
Despite defeat, injury permitting, Willis will be at Wimbledon in the men’s doubles alongside compatriot Jay Clarke.
Willis scores first:
SET ONE: 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6.
SET TWO: 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6.
SET THREE: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 5-5, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7.
