Evans eases into second round
• 3 MINUTE READ
Dan Evans overcame a tough opening round match against Feliciano Lopez with a comfortable 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-5 on day two of The Championships, Wimbledon.
The British No.1, who had lost his last four first round matches in Grand Slams, put in an assured performance against the experienced Spaniard – who was playing in his 77th consecutive Grand Slam, a new record.
Evans, who reached the quarter-finals of the cinch Championships earlier this month, was forced to work hard in the opening set.
There was little to split the two men – with neither claiming a break in the first set – before Evans raced ahead to a 4-1 lead in the tie-break.
Despite a momentary fightback from 39-year-old Lopez, Evans managed to raise his game when it mattered to take the tie-break 7-4.
With Lopez struggling with his movement and first serve, Evans had a much easier time in the second set – taking advantage of the Spaniard's unforced errors to win five successive games to claim it 6-2.
The final set was tighter – Evans rescued two break points at 3-3 – but the Brit showed patience and eventually claimed victory right at the death, converting a first match point in the set’s 12th game.
“It’s amazing to be back playing at Wimbledon again and I’m delighted to win,” Evans said. “I played against a difficult opponent on the grass and I’m very happy to be able to come through.
“During the first set I was a bit too into myself and once I let go a bit I really go rolling, especially at the end I was just trying to be patient as I thought I might get a chance. Eventually I did and I scraped the last game and it was a very good mental effort today.
“I’m working to get to a good place in my game, not give away any days, and it’s been working well so far this year.”
Evans’ win followed those of Andy Murray, Liam Broady and Katie Boulter on day one and the encouraging performance of 19-year-old Jack Draper, who took the first set off the defending champion, Novak Djokovic, before going down in four sets.
Also in action on day two were Fran Jones, who was edged out 7-5, 6-4 by rising star Coco Gauff, Harriet Dart, who was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by World No. 13 Elise Mertens and Jay Clarke who lost in four sets against Belarusian Egor Gerasimov.
Last up on Court Two is Cameron Norrie, who is facing France’s Lucas Pouille – follow the match as it happens on our live scoring page.
