Loughborough's Ahmed El Menshawy insists his tennis master-class with Radek Stepanek can fire him to US Open glory after he crashed out of junior Wimbledon.
The 18-year-old was selected by the Czech Republic world No.23 to help him warm up before his third-round tie with Spain's David Ferrer.
While the training session had the desired effect for Stepanek – he won a five-set thriller – El Menshawy could not make the most of his experience and he lost his boys' doubles opener.
The British junior No.3 and partner Tiago Fernandes lost 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to Sandro Ehrat and Dominik Wirlend at the All England Club.
El Menshawy said: "Stepanek passed on a bit of advice, but to just play with someone who is that highly ranked gave me a massive insight into what I have to do to make it at the top level.
"It was a fantastic experience and something I will definitely use to further my career." He added: "I'm going to the US Open and that will be my final tournament as a junior.
"I'll then be moving on to the seniors."
(Courtesy of the Leicester Mercury)