Marcus Willis suffers qualifying defeat in Vienna on tour return

Marcus Willis' return to ATP Tour action ended in a three-set defeat against world number 103 Radu Albot in the first round of qualifying in the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.

The world number 498, who had not played on tour since losing to Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon in June, was given a wild card entry for the tournament and lost the first set 6-3.

But Willis showcased the fighting spirit that stole headlines at SW19 when he saved a match point to clinch the second set tie-break 11-9 and set up a decider.

Marcus Willis salutes the Centre Court crowd

Image credit: AFP

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Despite an early break, the 26-year-old would lose the final set 6-4.

Willis will play Andy Murray in the Tie Break Tens exhibition in Vienna on Sunday.

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