Taylor Fritz is into the Wimbledon second round, but his progression was far from easy.
But it was never going to be, forced to face the petrifying big-server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the very first round.
Arguably as tough a draw as he could have got, the 27-year-old played admirably, yet somehow found himself two sets to love down.
Many could have folded, and would have been justified against such a relentless opponent.
But as the sun set on Court 1, Fritz began his fightback, before a suspension was called with the scores completely level.
Taylor Fritz breaks American stereotype with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard win
Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live podcast after a thrilling day of Wimbledon action, Austin naturally focused on how her compatriot battled through an overnight suspension to finish off his win against Mpetshi Perricard.
Understandably, Fritz was frustrated as his match was delayed, but he showed no signs as he came back out to claim the fifth and final set, completing his five-set comeback.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Austin admitted: ‘Yeah, there’s a lot of reasons that Taylor could have just looked for that exit and just walked right out of it after winning in Eastbourne, getting tired, having such a tough draw, but he doesn’t do that, and a lot of the Americans, sometimes get a reputation of, Oh, maybe a little soft, but Taylor’s anything but that.
‘He’s willing to get down and dirty and fight his way out in those matches. Loved watching him compete. He was also down 5-1 in that tiebreak.
‘So he managed to turn that around in the fourth set. Not happy wasn’t able to continue. None of that bothered him.’
Jim Courier then chimed in, looking ahead: ‘How about he played a six-foot-eight player with the bomb serve. He gets another one that Canadian Gabriel Diallo, his next opponent, about 40 in the world. This kid has massive upside as well. It’s not an easy draw for Taylor.’
Taylor Fritz wins the point against the fastest serve in Grand Slam history
Aside from the dramatic nature of his comeback, there was a genuine piece of history made mid-way through Taylor Fritz’s win over Mpetshi Perricard.
And, it should surprise no one that it came from a serve.
Previously, the fastest ever recorded came off the racket of American Taylor Dent in 2010, also at Wimbledon.
However, that record stands no longer.
Instead, the Frenchman has taken it, with his frighteningly fast 153 mph serve the new record-holder.
And, ironically enough, Fritz went on to win the point with an awkward sliced return.