Marcus Willis prevailed against Edward Corrie in the battle of the British wild cards to move into the second round of the Aegon Nottingham Challenge. Willis started strong before showing stubborn determination and patience to beat Corrie 6-1 3-6 6-4 at the Nottingham Tennis Centre on Monday.
The 23-year-old saved 11 break points before he finally conceded one on the way to losing the second set, serving himself out of danger nine times with aces. "I know Ed very well and he knows me very well," said Willis.
"Every match we play goes to three sets, it is a tactical battle and you have to serve well - at the start that is what I did. "In the second set he was all over me and I managed to save those 11 break points before he eventually got the break. "In the third, I served much more cleverly. I had him in some trouble on one of his serves and just thought that if I stayed with him then I could get him in the end. "It was a very tough match and I'm delighted I got through it."
Willis goes on to meet seventh seed Marius Copil of Romania after he got the better of Sergei Bubka Jr 6-3 7-6(3)
See more at: http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Nottingham-Festival-of-Tennis/News/2014/Willis-overcomes-Corrie-to-advance-in-the-Aegon-Nottingham-Challenge-/#sthash.4ySGrPLj.dpuf