Jack Pinnington Jones sees impressive grand slam debut ended at Wimbledon
The 22-year-old rookie was beaten 6-1 7-6 (6) 6-2 in the second round.
Jack Pinnington Jones’ grand slam debut ended in straight sets after he was overpowered by Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli in round two of Wimbledon.
The 22-year-old rookie – a close friend of British number one Jack Draper – was beaten 6-1 7-6 (6) 6-2.
Having been outclassed in a quickfire opening set, Pinnington Jones relaxed into the contest and threatened to shift the momentum before failing to capitalise on a key set point in the second-set tie-break.
He departs his maiden major with the consolation of £99,000 in prize money following his first-round victory over Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry.
The world number 281 was quickly on the back foot on Court 18 after a double fault gifted Cobolli an immediate break of serve in game one.
His 23-year-old Italian opponent needed little extra help and impressively took control of the match with a series of fine winners en route to wrapping up the opening set in just 22 minutes.
Undeterred, Pinnington Jones offered far greater resistance in a tight second set and improved as it wore on, battling back from 5-2 down to level, only to blow a 3-0 lead and a set point in the tie break.
World number 24 Cobolli, who was backed by a small contingent of vocal supporters, recovered from the wobble to reassert his authority and progress in an hour and 55 minutes.
British wild card Arthur Fery was unable to mount a comeback as his second-round tie with Luciano Darderi, which started on Wednesday, resumed on Court Two with the Italian two sets up.
Darderi took the third set to secure a 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory in two hours and 21 minutes on Court Two.
