A semi-finalist at last year’s Championships, Norrie headed back to SW19 with the hopes of going one better, but that dream has come to an end at the hands of world No.42 Christopher Eubanks in front of a lively Centre Court crowd.

Both players share the same story to reaching the elite level of the professional game after coming through the college tennis system in the United State, with Norrie representing Texas Christian University and Eubanks competing for Georgia Tech.

However, it was the American who prevailed in a four set enounter that upset the home favourite.

Speaking on securing his second win against a top 20 player on his Wimbledon debut, Eubanks said: “This is by far the biggest win of my career - not even a question.

“There are tonnes of really good tennis players, that play professional tennis who never get the chance to play the number one Brit at Wimbledon in an atmosphere like this.

“It didn’t matter how many people were for me or against me, this is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”

As the contest got underway, both players made strong statements – clinching back-to-back holds to love before the American gradually started to apply the pressure on Norrie’s serve.

Entering the Championships in fresh off the back of winning his first ATP level title in Mallorca, Eubanks caused the Brit some problems on his serve at 3-4 as he found the first break of the match to wrap up a flawless opening set on his Centre Court debut.

However, a strong response in the second saw the British No.1 capitalise on some uncharacteristic errors on the American’s opening service game, as he fought to find his way back into the match. A consolidatory hold of serve to back up the break secured his lead in the second set and send the home crowd into elation.

With the scoreboard resting at one set apiece, the only two breaks of the third went the way of the world No.43 who continued to fire with power as he launched an astonishing 63 winners past Norrie across the match.,

Just when the battle looked as though it’d be settled by a fifth set with Norrie taking the edge, Eubanks refused to back down – eventually forcing the world No.12 to save a match point before forcing a tie-break. A 21st ace of the match from the American set the tone for the tie-break as he sprinted ahead to book his spot in the third round at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.