Marcus Willis
Willis celebrates huge win at SW19. Getty

British qualifier Marcus Willis has stolen the headlines on the opening day of Wimbledon with an upset over world number 54 Ricardas Berankis. Willis, ranked number 772 in the world, came through six rounds of qualifying to reach round one at SW19 but sealed a magnificent 6-3 6-3 6-4 win against his Lithuanian opponent.

The 25-year-old, who contemplated retirement from tennis in January, is set to pocket £50,000 from his win.

Willis's phenomenal story came on a mixed day for other British hopefuls. Kyle Edmund became the first British player to be eliminated on day one after he suffered a straight sets defeat to Adrian Mannarino of France. The British no. 3 rallied in the second set against the world no. 55, forcing a tie break, but fell to a 6-2 7-5 6-4 defeat.

James Ward was given the unenviable task of halting defending champion Novak Djokovic on Centre Court. Like Edmund, Ward provided a strong showing in the second set, matching the world no. 1 game for game before succumbing to the considerable gulf in class and falling to a straight sets defeat.

Alex Ward and Bryan Klein also suffered early defeats, with the former falling to 11<sup>th seed David Goffin. Australian-born Klein lost in straight sets to experienced Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.

British wildcard Laura Robson was fed a tricky tie against fourth seed Angelique Kerber. Robson, 22, has been frustrated by injury in recent years and failed to get going against the Australian Open champion, who dominated the contest before sealing a 6-2 6-2 win.

Andy Murray is action against fellow Briton Liam Broady on Tuesday 28 June.