Wimbledon 2016 might have just started on Monday, but it could have already had its biggest story.

Part-time tennis coach and ranked 772 in the world, Marcus Willis had already done a lot after he fought through six rounds of qualifying to progress to the first round of Wimbledon.

Not done, though, the 25-year-old from the United Kingdom made the first day his own, defeating World No 54 Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-3 6-4 in straight sets to record a shock upset and progress to the second round, where he will meet none other than a certain Roger Federer. It's the kind of stuff boyhood dreams are made of.

Willis become the lowest-ranked player to reach the second round of any major since World No 923 Jared Palmer at the 1988 US Open and his achievement was vociferously cheered on by a boisterous set of supporters.

The secret behind Willis' improbable success? Why, love, of course. Winded after his performance, Willis paid tribute to his dentist girlfriend Jenny Bate for convincing him not to give up.

"I have been training and playing French League and German League. I was adamant I was going to America to coach, but then I met a girl and she told me I was an idiot and I should keep going," said Willis, with a smile.