Wimbledon fan favourite breaks 31-year record on Court 1 despite losing match
Christopher Eubanks reacts during the gentlemen's quarter-finals match against Daniil Medvedev
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A fan favourite at Wimbledon yesterday broke a 31-year record despite losing his key quarter final clash against Russian ace Daniil Medvedev.
Christopher Eubanks, 27, was close to pulling off yet another upset on SW19’s hallowed turf against the world number 3 but Medvedev battled back to win the final few sets.
The American tennis player was relatively unknown when he arrived at Wimbledon and had never progressed beyond the second round of a Grand Slam tournament before heading to London this summer.
Eubanks won over the thousands of people who crammed into Wimbledon with his high-risk style of play.
Christopher Eubanks in action against Daniil Medvedev during their gentlemen's quarter-finals
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He also described himself as an “honorary Brit” after knocking out two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.
Despite losing to Sergeyevich, Eubanks made history by hitting 321 winners.
A winner occurs when a player is unable to touch the ball with their racquet before it bounces twice during a match.
The number is the most hit during a Wimbledon Championship since 1992.
Daniil Medvedev celebrates victory over Christopher Eubanks
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The record had been held by eight-time Grand Slam champion and fellow American Andre Agassi.
Looking back at his Wimbledon run, Eubanks said: “It’s been like such a whirlwind of emotions and [I have been] trying my best to kind of block everything out and just focus.
“But I think this morning it did kind of settle in a little bit after I woke up, just realising that, ‘Man, I’m getting ready to play a Grand Slam quarter-final today’ – that’s really, really cool.
“I think it [has given] me added confidence in my ability that I know I can compete with some of the best players in the world, whereas maybe I didn’t fully know or believe that before.”
Novak Djokovic is through to yet another Wimbledon semi-final
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Eubanks only won his maiden ATP Tour title 11 days ago.
Medvedev’s victory over Eubanks sees him face 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz Garfia on Centre Court tomorrow.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, who defeated Nick Kyrgios in the final last summer, faces 21-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner in the second semi-final.
The final will take place on Centre Court on Sunday.
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