LIAM BROADY failed to make it a hat-trick of Brits in the fourth round of Wimbledon after being eliminated by Katie Boulter’s boyfriend.
The Stockport southpaw, 28, could not find a way past No.19 seed Alex de Minaur on No.1 Court on day six of the Championships.
The Australian – who is dating Leicestershire’s Boulter – ruined the dreams of Surrey youngster Jack Draper in the second round.
And now he has done the same to British No.5 Broady with some excellent serving and 13 aces in a 6-3 6-4 7-5 win.
Had Broady made it to the next stage, it would have been Britain's most number of individuals at that juncture since 1979.
For Broady, who cannot earn any ranking points for this run, the £120,000 prize money will afford him a decent night out and go some way towards the reinvestment of his tennis.
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Unfortunately there were swathes of empty seats in the 12,345-capacity arena by the time Broady began the match of his life.
Throughout the opening week, it has been noticeable that so many Pimm’s-guzzling punters have not been in place by the time action has started on the two big courts.
That said, those who were enjoying a long lunch would have missed the first set given it was all over in 28 minutes.
It was not pretty at times and De Minaur turned the screw with exemplary serving after a key break of serve in game six.
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De Minaur, 23, increased the pressure early in the second set and despite missing out on three break-point opportunities in game three, he gained the advantage in game five instead.
Broady had a chance at 0-30 up on the De Minaur serve in game eight of the second set but luck was against him and there was obvious tension in his arm.
There were occasions when loudmouth Broady would scream ‘Come On’ when his opponent smashed a ball against the net.
But despite his admirable fighting qualities – he twice forced De Minaur to serve for the match in an hour-long set and came four times within earning a third-set tie-break – Broady eventually followed Boulter through the Wimbledon exit door on a rather flat Sporting Saturday.
Sydney star De Minaur will now play Chilean Cristian Garín in the Last 16 – neither have been beyond this stage – as the pair benefit from the withdrawal of 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini pre-tournament with Covid.
De Minaur said after his win: “It’s relief. It was harder than I wanted it to be. You get nerves playing in front of an amazing crowd against a Brit.
“There is relief to be in the second week of Wimbledon.
“Wimbledon is such a special tournament, to come here and play here is a true honour. I am enjoying every second and trying to ride this wave.”
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