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Jay Clarke using Cori Gauff as inspiration against Roger Federer

Jay Clarke using Cori Gauff as inspiration against Roger Federer
© Reuters
Clarke defeated Noah Rubin for his first Wimbledon victory to set up the clash with Federer.

Jay Clarke will take inspiration from Cori Gauff's generation-busting victory over Venus Williams when he faces Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon.

Clarke claimed his first main draw victory at a grand slam with a 4-6 7-5 6-4 6-4 success against American qualifier Noah Rubin.

The 20-year-old is only giving away 17 years to his next opponent compared to the 24 years between Gauff, 15, and Williams in their first-round contest, and will not write off his chances.

Jay Clarke plays a backhand during his win over Noah Rubin
Jay Clarke plays a backhand during his win over Noah Rubin (Victoria Jones/PA)

Clarke said: "Obviously upsets happen all the time. If he has a bad day and I play great, then obviously there's a chance there that could happen.

"But what she did yesterday was unbelievable. I'm not sure going into the match she believed she could do it. She was well prepared. I'm glad she did."

Clarke knew the potential prize at stake but insisted that was not on his mind as he battled to victory over Rubin, who is ranked 13 places lower at 182.

"I wasn't thinking about it at all, to be honest," he said. "I know how tough Noah is to play. I've seen him play a lot of the same Challengers as me.

"To beat him would have been a good win. I'd have been happy with that. He was a bit of extra motivation to get through."

After losing the first set, Clarke looked like he might have blown his chance in the second when Rubin fought back from 5-1 down to level.

But Clarke broke serve again to make it one set all and faced only one break point in the third and fourth sets as he pressed home his advantage.

He held his arms aloft after forcing a final error from Rubin before celebrating with his family, who have played a huge role in his journey from inner city Derby to the most prestigious stage in tennis.

Clarke grew up watching Federer and trying to learn his game
Clarke grew up watching Federer and trying to learn his game (Mike Egerton/PA)

Now Clarke must try to find the formula to challenge a player he grew up watching.

"He won juniors the year I was born," said the 20-year-old. "I always looked up to him. Tried to copy a lot of the stuff he does. It's going to be a fun match."

Clarke tried to model parts of his game on Federer, saying: "I tried everything. I actually gave up in the end because it was too tough to do. All the tricks, the cool back swing volleys, all the stuff he actually doesn't use that much, I was trying to add in. I was happy when I stopped."

No one will be expecting Clarke to provide too much of an obstacle for Federer, but the British number four does not agree.

"On Centre Court, you could obviously be embarrassed," he said. "He could kill any player like he did today from a set down (to Lloyd Harris). That's never nice.

"I'll go out there and I'll just play my game. That's the best test to actually see where I'm at. If I start doing stuff I don't normally do, then I wouldn't really learn anything. I'll stick to the way I play and then just see how it goes."


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Angelique Kerber in action at Wimbledon on July 2, 2019
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