Lexus Nottingham Open 2026: Jay Clarke & Billy Harris seal first-round wins
• 3 minute read
Jay Clarke and Billy Harris got the Brits off to a winning start at the Lexus Nottingham Open after coming through testing opening-round matches.
Clarke battled past American Tristan Boyer, but ultimately got over the line in convincing fashion, sealing a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory in an hour and 43 minutes.
Harris later joined him after closing out the action on Centre Court with a three-set thriller against Coleman Wong, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 in an hour and 45 minutes.
It’s been a bright start for Clarke, who fought past Daniel Masur and August Holmgren in qualifying to reach the main draw.
“I feel good, especially against an in-form player like him (Boyer),” Clarke reflected post-match. “He’s a quality player, so I knew I had to be ready.
“I was always prepared for a fightback or for him to change things, and for me maybe not to be as clinical as I was, because I basically didn’t put a foot wrong for the first 20 minutes.”
The 27-year-old made an electric start to his first-round encounter at the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre, racing out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set.
However, Boyer soon sparked a comeback, drawing level and taking Clarke to a tie-break to settle the opener. There, the Briton worked his way through the gears, eventually rattling off six of the last seven points to secure the lead.
He picked up where he left off in the second set and, after securing the only break in the fourth game, didn’t look back as he calmly closed out the victory with a hold to love.
For Clarke, it marks a special return to what he considers his ‘home tournament’. Having grown up in Derby, he spent his early years training at the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre and holds fond memories of the event, where he played his first ATP Challenger match.
“It’s amazing. I grew up playing here from about six years old until I was 13 or 14, so this is definitely a home tournament. This is actually where I played my first Challenger - I got a wild card here when I was 15 and played Nick Kyrgios in the first round of qualies many years ago.
“It’s a really special tournament, one of my favourites of the year, and I’m staying at home this week with my family, so it’s really nice to be back.”
Next, he will take on Australia’s Christopher O’Connell in a bid to reach his fourth ATP Challenger quarter-final of the season.
Harris also had to come through a tough encounter against rising star Wong in what was their second meeting in as many months.
The pair met in the first round of Roland Garros qualifying, where Wong came out on top - but Harris got his revenge in front of a home crowd on the grass in Nottingham.
“Thank you so much for the support,” Harris said, as the daylight was drawing to a close. “It was a long wait all day, there were a lot of matches, so thank you for sticking around.
“My friends and family came down to watch as well, so a big thanks to everyone who kept me going in that third set.
“There were a couple of sloppy games in the second set to get broken, but I definitely fired myself up in the third and I’m happy with how I finished - I’m feeling good going into the next one.”
The 31-year-old struck 35 winners on his way to victory over the world No. 101 and responded well after Wong levelled the match.
The former Lexus Eastbourne Open semi-finalist found another level in the decider, breaking immediately before consolidating for a 3-0 lead. Rallied on by a supportive home crowd, the Brit continued to apply pressure and was rewarded with a double break to set up the chance to serve for the match.
Wong refused to go down without a fight and pushed Harris to three deuces, but the Brit sealed the win with a trademark serve down the T that Wong could only return wide.
Next up, Harris will face Arthur Gea, who earlier knocked out Britain’s Anton Matusevich in straight sets. Meanwhile, Alastair Gray, Oliver Tarvet and Francesca Jones all missed out on joining Clarke and Harris in the second round.
Catch up with the latest results from the Lexus Nottingham Open
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