Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie wrote their names into the British tennis history books by advancing to the third round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday.
The Brits have enjoyed a particularly strong start to the clay court event, and Evans produced a stellar showing to see off Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets.
Later in the day, Norrie joined his compatriot in round three, with the world number 11 getting the better of ever-powerful American John Isner 6-4 6-7 [5-7] 6-4 after an equally tight battle.
With Andy Murray already booking his place in the next stage after beating Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday, GB now boast three men in the third round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time ever.
Evans found his groove early on in his match with Bautista Agut to break for 4-3 in the first set after a long forehand from the Spaniard, and he took the set 6-3 before Bautista Agut levelled.
The Spaniard had the chance to serve for the match in the third set, but Evans was not to be denied as he broke his opponent once again before securing a 6-3 5-7 7-6 [7-2] win with a sublime backhand.
"I was against it for the last hour and a bit, he played very well, I was playing very well. I got a bit of luck at 1-1 but you make your own luck. Beating him [Bautista Agut] at any stage is amazing." Evans told Amazon Prime after his victory.
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After Evans booked his spot in the third round of the tournament, Norrie's battle with Isner followed something of an identical pattern, with the Brit breaking early to take the first set before Isner forced a decider.
Some phenomenal footwork from Norrie in the third set saw him break for a 3-2 lead as Isner's tame backhand found the net, and he held his own to serve for the match following a short forehand from the American.
"You get a chance against him and then suddenly it's gone, I was really patient and took my chances when I could but he is so frustrating to play," Norrie told Amazon Prime.
"I just focused on holding my serve and I managed to scrap that crazy point to break in the third. I was trying to play mind games [with Isner's serve]."
Evans has been rewarded with a third-round tie against sixth seed Andrey Rublev, while Norrie will battle Spanish starlet Carlos Alcaraz Garfia and Murray does battle with old foe Novak Djokovic.
Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal also booked their spots in round three, and Simona Halep lost in straight sets 3-6 2-6 to Ons Jabeur in her quarter-final.
Ben Knapton
