ALEXIS Canter is looking forward to a future in the men’s game after giving a good account of himself at his last Junior Wimbledon, writes Jack Johnson.

The Long Wittenham teenager tested No 1 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 7-6, 7-5 defeat in the first round of the boys’ singles.

Despite an early exit, Canter feels optimistic for life on the men’s tour next year.

The positive mindset stems from a battling performance against Tsitsipas, who is ranked 358th on the ATP World Tour and has three ITF Futures titles to his name this year.

“To play against a boy of his level and to be challenging him game for game, shot for shot, is very encouraging,” said Canter.

Canter did not face a break point until the first game of the second set, saving two in total with aces, before he was broken in the 11th game as Tsitsipas went on to serve out the match.

The 18-year-old said: “I’m very pleased, because when you play the better boys, if they go up in a game they normally up their game too.

“For me to up my game and take it away from them is very encouraging.”

This year Canter had targeted playing in men’s tournaments during the second half of the season to prepare for 2017.

But at 61 in the ITF Juniors rankings he still has work to do to climb inside the top 40 and ensure direct qualification for the boys’ singles at the US Open.