Wimbledon: Now Cowan will never walk alone

It was one of the most sensational performances by a British tennis player that has ever been seen at Wimbledon, but before the tournament the name Barry Cowan would have drawn blank expressions even in his native Lancashire.

Cowan, 26, has endured many years in tennis’ wilderness but last night he gave seven-time champion Pete Sampras the biggest fright of his professional career.