Oli Golding through to second round of Wimbledon qualifying

British tennis player and 2011 Junior Davis Cup winner Evan Hoyt gives his expert perspective on the action from the Wimbledon qualifying tournament.

On the opening day of Wimbledon men's qualifying, wildcard Oliver Golding triumphed over Halle quarter-finalist Peter Gojowczyk of Germany 6-4, 6-1. The 2011 US Open junior Champion, Golding took to the fine grass courts at the Bank of England with a point to prove.  

Gojowczyk began the match with a convincing hold that immediately put the pressure on the young Brit’s serve. However, the pair found themselves deadlocked in the first set after the first couple of games, with a combination of big serving and fine timing from the back of the court. 

At 2-3, whilst serving, Golding was forced to take time out to tend to a nose bleed. After returning to play, with some tissue preventing the nose bleed, Golding was broken due to three double faults and a crunching shot by his opponent. 

However, Golding struck back with venom. He broke back to love, and then played a fine game with the help of some rocket launcher serves coming from his racket. From this point, Golding seemed to catch fire and he raced to claim the opening set against the German 6-4, with a huge fist pump and a loud "c'mon".

As a player, having lost the last four games to lose the set, it's hugely important to make a good start in the second and get things rolling again. However, the seemingly flat German was blown off the court early in the second with pure sharpness and determination from Golding. 

With Golding’s game in full flow; crunching returns, big ground strokes and precise serving, there was little hope for the rapidly diminishing German. Golding raced to a 4-0 lead, before eventually triumphing 6-4, 6-1. His most encouraging victory to date on the grass courts of London.  

When asked about the match, 20 year-old Golding admitted: "It was a great performance from me, after being down an early break in the first, and being so dominant from that point. It goes to show that I can compete at this level.” Golding will now face Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland, ranked at 180 ATP in round two of the Grand Slam Qualifying event. 

All in all, it  was a tough day for the British men, with two from eight players advancing to the second round. The second win coming Brydan Klein, who took the opening set of his match before his Belgian opponent Authom, ranked 230 was forced to retire at 3-6, 0-1 with an arm injury. 

Other Brits in closely contested matches, included Ed Corrie losing to huge serving Aussie, Sam Groth 6-3, 7-6(2), Josh Milton bowed out to USA's Rhyne Williams in a tightly contested match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 and David Rice falling to 29th seed Marc Gicquel of France, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2. 

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