Andy Murray suffered more Wimbledon heartache with a five-set defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas in their delayed second-round clash, while Cameron Norrie also exited on Friday afternoon.
The Scot was two sets to one up overnight when the 11pm curfew came into play but he was unable to complete the job, with fifth seed Tsitsipas fighting back to win 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (2-7) 4 -6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.
It was a hugely disappointing way for Murray to mark the 10th anniversary of his career-defining first Wimbledon title, and he is all too aware that his chances for another deep run here are ebbing away.
Tsitsipas said: “It’s never easy against Andy. It was a very difficult game, I’m very impressed the way he holds up having been so many years on the tour, having had two hip surgeries. I was very impressed with his level and I wish him the best.
“It was nerve racking. I had to overcome it. It’s difficult when you’ve grown up watching him play on this court. I looked up to him, I looked up to him, Novak, Roger and Rafa. These four guys shaped the game and they’re the reason I’m the player I am today.
“I had to work extra hard [on Friday] to get that victory. My legs are so right now. He made me run left and right, up and down.”
Was Murray waving goodbye to Wimbledon Center Court for the final time?
Murray missed the French Open to focus on his grass-court preparations and arrived at the All England Club feeling confident and healthy for the first time since winning his second title in 2016.
He was unfortunate to run into a top seed so early, and there were many aspects of his performance that were positive, but he would have fancied his chances against Tsitsipas on grass and this one will sting.
The match began under the roof on Thursday but there were blue skies above on the hottest day of the tournament so far when the players returned to Center Court.
Murray had sparked the alarm right at the end of the set by screaming in pain and going down clutching his left groin but he practiced as normal ahead of the match and there was no sign of any discomfort.
Tsitsipas’ backhand leaked a substantial number of errors but his serve was again working beautifully and Murray was unable to force a break point, the 36-year-old smacking the net in frustration as another close game got away.
He had clearly been eager to avoid the lottery of another tie-break and, in a repeat of the first-set shootout, it was Tsitsipas who won the final four points in breezy conditions.
Murray’s strategy to relentlessly probe the Greek’s backhand was perhaps becoming a little predictable, and he was in serious trouble when Tsitsipas created three break points in the third game of the deciding set, taking the third to break serve for the first time.
Willed on by the crowd, Murray tried to find a way back but Tsitsipas continued to serve very strongly.
Still there was hope as the home favorite saved two match points but he clinched it on his third chance with his 17th ace to book a third-round clash with Laslo Djere.
Murray has no plans to stop playing
Murray admits defeat will take a while to get over but he remains determined to continue playing
“Motivation is obviously a big thing. Continuing to have early losses in tournaments like this don’t necessarily help with that,” said Murray during his press conference.
“It’s similar to I guess last year. I had a long think about things, spoke to my family, decided to keep on going.
“I don’t plan to stop right now. But this one will take a little while to get over. Hopefully find the motivation again to keep training, keep pushing, try and keep getting better.”
Norrie suffers a knockout blow
Cameron Norrie was knocked out of Wimbledon by Christopher Eubanks
Just minutes earlier, British No 1 Cameron Norrie lost his second-round match to American world No 43 Christopher Eubanks.
Norrie was left dazed by Eubanks’ powerful hitting and his haymaker of a serve in a punishing 6-3 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-3) defeat.
In a heavyweight start to the contest, the first 20 points all went with serve including nine aces, seven from the arm of Eubanks.
It was the world No 43 who landed the first blow, breaking Norrie to love on his way to taking the opening set.
Norrie, the 12th seed and a semi-finalist last year, had barely laid a glove on his opponent, winning just three points on the Eubanks serve.
But the South-African-born southpaw hauled himself off the canvas and secured an early break in the second set to level the match.
However, Norrie has looked ring-rusty in recent months and Eubanks, a grass-court title-winner in Mallorca in June, took advantage by breaking twice for the third set.
Eubanks dropped his guard in the fourth, losing his serve to love, but he hit back for 4-4 to leave Norrie on the ropes.
Norrie survived a match point on serve when a Eubanks forehand thudded into the net.
But Eubanks was too strong in the tie-break, a quick one-two of a booming forehand and delicate volley leaving Norrie out for the count.