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Eaton rifle: Britain's most unlikely hero sends down 26 aces to roar through
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24 June 2008
British qualifier Chris Eaton rifled his way into the second round of Wimbledon with a dramatic straight-sets win over Boris Pashanski as evening fell on an ecstatic Court 3.
The world No 661 boomed down 26 aces to his rival's one to complete a marvellous day on which Andy Murray and Anne Keothavong also gave Britain victories to savour.
Fan-tastic: Eaton enjoys the acclaim
Eaton's 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 triumph was the stuff of fairytales but TV viewers were denied the chance to watch the 20-year-old complete a stunning win as the BBC had switched to highlights and were showing Jonas Bjorkman against Arnaud Clement from earlier.
Having survived pre-qualifying and qualifying, it was the seventh match of Eaton's campaign. He is the lowest ranked player to win a match here in the past decade and the £17,000 guaranteed cheque has more than doubled his career earnings.
On the run: Eaton stretches to return against Pashanski
He said: 'It's a dream come true. I drive a Vauxhall Astra with duct tape on one wing mirror. To actually win my match is phenomenal. The atmosphere was unbelievable. I don't think too many people knew me, but when I first walked on there they were shouting and giving it everything. How can you not give it everything yourself?'
Eaton, who now plays Russia's Dmitry Tursunov, the 25th seed, strung his own rackets in the morning after driving in from his parents' house in Surrey where he still lives.
Murray recorded a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 win over France's Fabrice Santoro but said: 'It's so tough to play against him. He's so unpredictable. He's always been my favourite player to watch.'
Stick it to ya: Eaton celebrates
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