‘Fat boy’ Marcus Willis gives Britain reason to smile as he sets up big Wimbledon pay day against Roger Federer

For a man whose singles prize money this year had not topped US$300, to have won in the first round at Wimbledon is nothing short of a miracle. For him to face Roger Federer in the next round is pure dreamland.

British world 772 Marcus Willis earned himself a place in Wimbledon folklore and a spot in fans’ hearts by beating Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis, ranked 718 places above him, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, sending the Court 17 crowd into utter delirium.

On a day with little to cheer for home fans, Willis, who had to come through two rounds of qualifying, took to the court against the world number 54 like he owned it.

The 25-year-old saved 19 out of 20 break points and won 72 per cent of points on his first serve.

This from a man who described himself as a “loser” and a “fat boy” who had to get himself in shape, who coaches at 30 pounds an hour to pay the bills and had to be persuaded by his girlfriend not to jack it all in.

As the cheers were still ringing around the rowdy crowd, British number one and 2013 champion Andy Murray, who starts his campaign on Tuesday as second seed, tweeted: “Marcus Willis, how good is that!”

Congratulations also came from Goran Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon as a wild card in 2001.