Apparently if there was a perfect time to topple Roger Federer early at Wimbledon, this was the year — so believed Cameron Norrie and his vast legion of British fans.
A dogged 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 third round win for Federer on Saturday told its own story.
Hopes that the 29th seed could stop Federer's pursuit of a men's record ninth All England Club title reached fever pitch after 338th-ranked British wildcard Emma Raducanu had defied the odds to reach the last 16 moments before Norrie walked onto Center Court for his showdown with the Swiss supremo.