The Eastbourne Open is in full swing, with fans turning out en masse to witness some of the best players across the ATP and WTA Tours.
The spectacle, which followed London’s Queen’s Club Championships, gives ATP and WTA players a further opportunity to hone their grass court skills ahead of Wimbledon.
The blustery East Sussex event has welcomed the likes of Taylor Fritz, Emma Raducanu and Tommy Paul to its shores this June.
Despite a plethora of big names, one lesser-known British player has been quietly making his way through the draw in Eastbourne.
Billy Harris triples his top 100 wins after beating Cameron Norrie and Mattia Bellucci
Ranked 142 in the world, Billy Harris was a relative unknown heading into a tournament full of star-studded athletes.
However, he has used the Eastbourne Open as the perfect warm-up for Wimbledon, which begins on June 30.
Harris, who had only one top 100 victory to his name before starting the tournament, defied expectations to beat former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie, winning 6-4 6-4 in the round of 32.
After knocking out Norrie, Harris went one step further on Wednesday afternoon, dismissing Italian world number 74 Mattia Bellucci 6-3 6-4.
The 25-year-old Brit has set up a mouthwatering clash against French fourth seed Ugo Humbert in the quarter-finals, which is set to take place on Thursday.
Billy Harris’ love affair with the Eastbourne Open
This is not the first time Harris has seen success in Eastbourne, with the 142nd ranked player performing marvellously at last year’s event.
Harris, a wildcard at the event, started the 2024 edition with victory over compatriot Jacob Fearnley, winning 6-4 7-6.
He then clinched a quarter-final spot after beating another British player, Charlie Broom, before knocking out young Italian star Flavio Cobolli 6-7 7-6 6-2.
Harris’ dreams of a first ATP Tour title were ended by Australia’s Matthew Purcell, who then lost in the final to American Taylor Fritz.
Harris will be looking to advance further in Eastbourne, before joining a plethora of British players competing at Wimbledon.
