Willis is one victory from Wimbledon

MARCUS WILLIS is one win away from another Wimbledon appearance after the British fan favourite got the better of friend and compatriot Liam Broady yesterday.

The all-British battle ended 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 to world No 374 Willis, who will now go into the third and final round of qualifying for a spot at the All England Club.

That would guarantee a minimum of £35,000 for the 26-year-old.

He has won just £4,100 so far in 2017 and faces world No 117 Illya Marchenko next.

It was at Wimbledon last year where Willis famously played Roger Federer on Centre Court in the second round, losing in straight sets. Speaking after yesterday’s win, Willis said: ‘It was an absolute battle. It’s a shame someone had to lose. It’s tough playing a friend. You have to put feelings aside and try to win the match.’

Meanwhile, British 18-year-old Jay Clarke, ranked 360 in the world, is also in the final round of Wimbledon qualifying after beating Elias Ymer 6-4, 7-6.

World No 855 Alex Ward of Britain also won 6-3, 6-1 against Japan’s Go Soeda.

This is the first time since 1999 that there have been three British men in Wimbledon’s final qualifying round.

Katy Dunne, 22, from Hemel Hempstead, kept the British flag flying for the women by beating Serbia’s Ivana Jorovic 7-5, 7-5.