Oliver Tarvet shares sleep issues before taking on Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon

A fight between an underdog and the top dog was always going to end in predictable fashion. The world No.733 in his first Grand Slam, versus a bloke who'd won five of them. But at least this David managed some moments of brilliance and tenacity in his scrap with a sporting Goliath.

Welcome to the big time, Ollie Tarvet. The Liverpool fan from St Albans must have felt like he'd walked straight onto the set of a fairytale.

An audience of 15,000 on the most hallowed tennis court in the world. Including some of the great and good from sport, film and show business all watching on from the Royal Box.

The problem for Tarvet though, was that standing across the net from him was the darling of tennis and defending champion.

Tarvet might have been the newfound home hero, but Carlos Alcaraz has become hugely popular in these parts, having made Wimbledon his second home.

Back-to-back titles had turned him into the king of grass. The challenge facing Tarvet was akin to him being asked to push water uphill. Achieving mission impossible would have represented the biggest upset in Wimbledon history.

In the build up, the US College student hadn't ruled out his chances, choosing to see it as an opportunity instead of an experience.

Well, he got an experience alright, but never the opportunity, with Alcaraz completing a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win in straight sets.

Tarvet said: "It was just really special. It's not every day that you get to play against maybe the best player in the world.

"It was really important for me going into the match to enjoy it. Enjoy the opportunity, because it's not one that comes around too often. I woke up a couple times in the night from the adrenaline. In the car, my heart rate was going quicker than it usually does.

"Obviously there were nerves. A big emphasis, as I said, was to enjoy the moment and enjoy the opportunity, because it doesn't come around too often, and I think I did a pretty good job of that. Despite losing, it was definitely the most special day of my life."

Tarvet describes himself as "fiery" on court, and he has showed over the past week he is not afraid to express himself. But perhaps Tarvet's greatest weapon was the fact Alcaraz knew little or nothing about him.

Natural talent might well be the most powerful gift of all though - And Alcaraz has bundles of it.

What he didn't anticipate was having to save three break points on his first service game of the match.

He did, and went on to win the first set 6-1.

Tarvet did break Alcaraz in the second game of the second set, to go 2-0 up.

He was giving as good as he got at times, and each point and game he managed to win was greeted like he'd won the Championship itself.

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But it was tantamount to poking a lion with a red hot poker. Whatever he threw at the Spaniard, it was never going to be enough.

Tarvet hugged his opponent once the end had come, and the pair shared a moment.

He then signed some autographs for his new legion of fans. A sure indication of how life has now changed for someone few people had even heard of before these Championships began.