The Islander, partnering singles specialist Liam Broady at a Grand Slam for the first time, smashed home an ace on match point on Court 11 to secure a 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 triumph against American men’s doubles duo Frances Tiafoe and Jackson Withrow.
‘I’m very pleased with how we played out there,’ said Clayton.
‘In a five set match you have to use your energy at the right times and I feel we did that well. I’m looking forward to the next test.
The win represents Clayton’s first ever Grand Slam victory outright, as his progression alongside Jonny O’Mara in 2017 came as a result of a mid-game withdrawal by his opponents due to injury. The Brits had, however, won the opening set of that encounter against Paulo Lorenzi and Adrian Mannarino.
The 24-year-old’s ATP world ranking will be given a boost of 90 points thanks to his latest success, and that could be doubled if he and fellow Brit Broady achieve safe passage beyond the second round at the expense of either Maximo Gonzalez and Nicholas Jarry or third seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers.
Kontinen and Peers – ranked number one last year – halted Clayton and O’Mara’s path 12 months ago with a 3-0 victory in the last 32.
Broady, who faced Andy Murray on Centre Court in 2016, lost to seeded Canadian Milos Raonic in the opening round of the men’s singles draw earlier this week.
