It’s a tale that could have come straight out of Hollywood, as if we have a sequel that’s better than the film ‘Wimbledon’. Part romcom, part fantasy, as feelgood as ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Or now to be retitled, after its star’s own delightful observation: “It’s Quite A Nice Life, Isn't It?”

So here’s the plotline. Marcus Willis is a down-at-heel British tennis pro, a self-confessed “loser” who likes a pint, piles on the pounds and loses his direction. Thinking he’s going nowhere, he takes up coaching - £30 an hour to tutor everyone from five-year-olds to grannies’ doubles - and considers a job in America only for the new love of his life to persuade him he’d be daft to give up.

He knocks himself into good shape, gets a lucky break to sneak into Wimbledon’s pre-qualifiers, wins all three matches, then three more in the qualifying rounds before, as world No.772, he wins his first tour level match in the first round of the main event amid scenes of adulation from his barmy mates who wave their shoes in the air to salute him.

Then he comes off court to find he’s earned his right to meet the greatest player in history, Roger Federer, on the greatest court in the world in today’s second round. Centre Court, scene two, take one…action!

Goodness, even the seven-time champion Federer seems to like the idea of having a walk-on part in the “Will Bomb’’ movie. “I think it's one of the best stories in a long time in our sport,” he beamed. “Of course, it's not going to be Wimbledon every week (for him). But let's not care what's after this. He should just play everything he's got now, enjoy himself!”

And, as Andy Murray observed sagely last night: “Amazing things do happen in sport.”

So what are the support features to Mr Willis? Well, there’s the longest-playing sequel at Wimbledon, starring the irrepressible Venus Williams, who at her record-equalling 71st Grand Slam and her 19th Wimbledon, takes on world No.115 Maria Sakkari, of Greece, on No.3 Court.

Now the world No.2 Muguruza, on No.2 Court, will be hoping for a slightly more comfortable time against Slovakia’s world No.124 Jana Cepelova than the tough examination she was given by Camila Giorgi in the first round.

At least she ended up surviving this Italian job, thus doing rather better than her beloved Spanish football team who, much to her chagrin, were simultaneously being turned over by the Azzurri at Euro 2016.

Talking of which, after England’s Euro exit to Iceland, the focus is on domestic tennis players restoring a touch of sporting pride. As well as Willis, his great pal Dan Evans will also be in action, on No.2 Court, against the unorthodox and ever-enjoyable Alexandr Dolgopolov, the No.30 seed.

And British No.1 Jo Konta, leading 6-1, 2-1 against Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig when the rains came yesterday, will return to No.1 Court, expecting to finish the job she started so impressively.