Fired up Evans brightens up ‘tragic year’ with comeback win over Sonego

A fired up Dan Evans brought to an end his poor run of form with an inspired comeback 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Lorenzo Sonego to seal his place in the second round of the Miami Open.

Evans – who has endured a miserable record since tearing his calf in October – stormed back to take the final two sets having been dominated in the opener.

It was just his third victory of the season and the Brit can now look forward to a meeting with Christopher Eubanks.

“I’m really happy, it’s been a tragic year so far,” Evans told Sky Sports. “But yeah, it’s only tennis so we’ve got another chance.”

Having survived a scare in the opening game after saving a break point, an aggressive Sonego took full control of the first set with an almost flawless display.

With an unstoppable serve, the Italian struck numerous aces and winners in an all-round outstanding display, breaking his overwhelmed opponent twice to secure the first set 6-1.

Totally outplayed in the opener, Evans showed his resilience by taking his break point to lead 2-0, turning the match around with a much-improved performance to level.

An inspired Evans now had the momentum and secured another break in the opening game of the decider. Playing high quality tennis, Evans conjured up two double-break points but Sonego stood firm for a much-needed hold.

The nerves were tangible in a rollercoaster encounter as Sonego passed up the opportunity of a break back, as the Brit began to close in on victory.

To see out a huge victory, Evans saved his best for last to carve up two match points, converting the first to seal a gutsy win in two hours and 21 minutes.

Asked about his switch in tactics after a dismal first set, Evans said: “I had no choice. He was way better than me, and I wasn’t really moving him. I just made up my mind to start coming in and try to dictate and see where it got me.

“I served very well which made it a lot earlier to come in. It gave me a bit more of a chance to rally because he then started to miss a bit more so I didn’t have to take as many risks.”

Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame Australian qualifier Adam Walton 7-5 6-4 in a rain-interrupted match to set up a tie with fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

The adverse weather conditions delayed the match for over half an hour after the opening game. When play finally resumed, a resilient Auger-Aliassime saved three set points on serve at 4-5 to take the opener, also edging the second set to wrap up victory in over two hours.

Elsewhere, Austria’s Sebastian Ofner defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori – who was playing his first tournament since Atlanta last July – 6-3 6-4.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Fired up Evans brightens up ‘tragic year’ with comeback win over Sonego

A fired up Dan Evans brought to an end his poor run of form with an inspired comeback 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Lorenzo Sonego to seal his place in the second round of the Miami Open.

Evans – who has endured a miserable record since tearing his calf in October – stormed back to take the final two sets having been dominated in the opener.

It was just his third victory of the season and the Brit can now look forward to a meeting with Christopher Eubanks.

“I’m really happy, it’s been a tragic year so far,” Evans told Sky Sports. “But yeah, it’s only tennis so we’ve got another chance.”

Having survived a scare in the opening game after saving a break point, an aggressive Sonego took full control of the first set with an almost flawless display.

With an unstoppable serve, the Italian struck numerous aces and winners in an all-round outstanding display, breaking his overwhelmed opponent twice to secure the first set 6-1.

Totally outplayed in the opener, Evans showed his resilience by taking his break point to lead 2-0, turning the match around with a much-improved performance to level.

An inspired Evans now had the momentum and secured another break in the opening game of the decider. Playing high quality tennis, Evans conjured up two double-break points but Sonego stood firm for a much-needed hold.

The nerves were tangible in a rollercoaster encounter as Sonego passed up the opportunity of a break back, as the Brit began to close in on victory.

To see out a huge victory, Evans saved his best for last to carve up two match points, converting the first to seal a gutsy win in two hours and 21 minutes.

Asked about his switch in tactics after a dismal first set, Evans said: “I had no choice. He was way better than me, and I wasn’t really moving him. I just made up my mind to start coming in and try to dictate and see where it got me.

“I served very well which made it a lot earlier to come in. It gave me a bit more of a chance to rally because he then started to miss a bit more so I didn’t have to take as many risks.”

Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame Australian qualifier Adam Walton 7-5 6-4 in a rain-interrupted match to set up a tie with fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

The adverse weather conditions delayed the match for over half an hour after the opening game. When play finally resumed, a resilient Auger-Aliassime saved three set points on serve at 4-5 to take the opener, also edging the second set to wrap up victory in over two hours.

Elsewhere, Austria’s Sebastian Ofner defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori – who was playing his first tournament since Atlanta last July – 6-3 6-4.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Great Britain face Argentina, Canada and Finland in Davis Cup group stage

Great Britain will face Argentina, Canada and Finland in the Davis Cup Finals group stage.

The matches will take place in Manchester this September, after the AO Arena was confirmed as one of the four host venues for the event, which will run from September 10 to September 14.

The top two teams in the group will progress to the Finals in Malaga in November.

Elsewhere, defending champions Italy will go up against Brazil, the Netherlands and Belgium on home soil in Bologna, while Zhuhai in China will host Germany, the USA, Chile and Slovakia.

In Valencia, Spain have been drawn alongside Australia, France and the Czech Republic.

There could well be some logistical problems for all the players and countries involved, as matches are due to start just days after the US Open finishes in New York.

The likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who played a pivotal role in guiding Italy to the title last year, might therefore have some big decisions to make if they have a deep run at Flushing Meadows.

Great Britain, meanwhile, will be attempting to reach the final stage of the Davis Cup for the second year running.

Leon Smith was also at the helm when they won an emotional final against Belgium in 2015.

Team GB still have a formidable bunch of highly ranked male players though, including Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper and Dan Evans, while doubles stars Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury are both Grand Slam winners.

picture

Murray secures first round win over Goffin at Indian Wells

Canada on the other hand currently only have one man, Felix Auger-Aliassime, in the singles top 100, as do Finland, in the form of Emil Ruusuvuori.

That means their toughest assignment is likely to come against Argentina, who could be led by recent Chile Open champion Sebastian Baez, 19th in the world and one of seven players inside the top 100.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Shelton fights back to beat Evans in thriller in Acapulco, Draper cruises past Paul

Ben Shelton recovered from dropping the first set to beat Dan Evans 2-6 7-5 7-6(5) and book his place in the last 16 of the Mexican Open.

In a gruelling encounter that lasted two hours and 45 minutes, Britain’s Evans looked to have struck a decisive blow when he broke to serve for the match at 6-5 in the third before Shelton hit back to force a tie-break, which he won.

“Definitely a really tricky match-up for me,” Shelton said. “Dan is a guy that I know well, we have a lot of banter in the locker room and [he is a] guy whose game presents a lot of challenges.

“So to be able to come out of this first match here in Acapulco with a win after losing the first set is a big accomplishment for me.”

Evans capitalised on the early errors from Shelton to win four games in a row from 2-2 in the opening set to seize the initiative.

But America’s Shelton was much improved in the second, dropping just five points on serve to lead 6-5 before earning a crucial break to level the contest.

There was more drama late in the decider. With Shelton leading 5-4, the 21-year-old earned three match points at 0-40 on the Evans serve but couldn’t convert as the Brit fought back to keep his hopes alive.

Evans then took his chance to break to lead 6-5 and serve for the match before faltering with the winning line in sight.

And after breaking back to force a tie-break, Shelton sent a drive volley into the open court to seal a thrilling victory on his fifth match point before paying tribute to the fans in attendance.

“I’m really glad to come out here and hopefully be a positive light for the people of Acapulco,” Shelton added, in reference to the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis.

“I wasn’t sure how big the crowd was going to be coming out today, but the people really showed out and it just shows the kind of culture they have here in Acapulco, how much they love sport and it just makes it one of the most fun places to play.”

Draper cruises past Paul

Evans’ compatriot, British No. 3 Jack Draper, comfortably beat Tommy Paul 6-0 6-4 to avenge his defeat in the second round of the Australian Open to the American.

Paul was made to pay for his profligacy as he failed to convert three break points on Draper’s serve in the opening game of the match.

The Brit took his chance in the next game before maintaining that momentum and completing a first-set bagel in little over half an hour.

Paul, the seventh seed, offered far more resistance in the second but couldn’t restore parity and take the contest all the way.

The set went with serve for nine games before the opportunistic Draper pounced on his chance to clinch a straight-sets victory on his first match point.

He will now take on Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the last 16.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Shelton fights back to beat Evans in thriller in Acapulco, Draper cruises past Paul

Ben Shelton recovered from dropping the first set to beat Dan Evans 2-6 7-5 7-6(5) and book his place in the last 16 of the Mexican Open.

In a gruelling encounter that lasted two hours and 45 minutes, Britain’s Evans looked to have struck a decisive blow when he broke to serve for the match at 6-5 in the third before Shelton hit back to force a tie-break, which he won.

“Definitely a really tricky match-up for me,” Shelton said. “Dan is a guy that I know well, we have a lot of banter in the locker room and [he is a] guy whose game presents a lot of challenges.

“So to be able to come out of this first match here in Acapulco with a win after losing the first set is a big accomplishment for me.”

Evans capitalised on the early errors from Shelton to win four games in a row from 2-2 in the opening set to seize the initiative.

But America’s Shelton was much improved in the second, dropping just five points on serve to lead 6-5 before earning a crucial break to level the contest.

There was more drama late in the decider. With Shelton leading 5-4, the 21-year-old earned three match points at 0-40 on the Evans serve but couldn’t convert as the Brit fought back to keep his hopes alive.

Evans then took his chance to break to lead 6-5 and serve for the match before faltering with the winning line in sight.

And after breaking back to force a tie-break, Shelton sent a drive volley into the open court to seal a thrilling victory on his fifth match point before paying tribute to the fans in attendance.

“I’m really glad to come out here and hopefully be a positive light for the people of Acapulco,” Shelton added, in reference to the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis.

“I wasn’t sure how big the crowd was going to be coming out today, but the people really showed out and it just shows the kind of culture they have here in Acapulco, how much they love sport and it just makes it one of the most fun places to play.”

Draper cruises past Paul

Evans’ compatriot, British No. 3 Jack Draper, comfortably beat Tommy Paul 6-0 6-4 to avenge his defeat in the second round of the Australian Open to the American.

Paul was made to pay for his profligacy as he failed to convert three break points on Draper’s serve in the opening game of the match.

The Brit took his chance in the next game before maintaining that momentum and completing a first-set bagel in little over half an hour.

Paul, the seventh seed, offered far more resistance in the second but couldn’t restore parity and take the contest all the way.

The set went with serve for nine games before the opportunistic Draper pounced on his chance to clinch a straight-sets victory on his first match point.

He will now take on Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the last 16.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Norrie begins Rio title defence in style as Evans wins and Draper bows out in Los Cabos

Cameron Norrie began his Rio Open title defence with a straight-sets win over Hugo Dellien that left him “dripping sweat”.

The British No. 1 seemed to triumph comfortably, 6-3 6-2, but denied that it had been a routine victory against the Bolivian.

“Good sensations, good feelings on this court,” Norrie said. “You said it was pretty straightforward, but I was absolutely dripping sweat. So it’s never easy out here.”

Norrie, seeded second behind Carlos Alcaraz in Brazil, will face Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera in the second round.

The world No. 23 is looking to bounce back after his immediate exit in Buenos Aires last week to Federico Coria, which followed a strong run to the last 16 at the Australian Open that culminated in defeat to Alexander Zverev.

Norrie saved the only break point he faced against Dellien and took three of his seven opportunities against the Bolivian’s serve.

He wrapped up the win in 82 minutes and was pleased with his efforts.

“I think I managed my service games really well,” Norrie added.

“I served much better than last week [against Coria] and I was a bit more patient and knew I had to play point for point and really make the rallies a bit longer.

“I think I learned from last week with that, and just happy to be back in Brazil.”

Fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo also progressed, beating fellow Argentine Francisco Comesana to set up a tie against Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Home favourite Thiago Seyboth Wild booked a spot in the second round by beating Alejandro Tabilo in three sets and will face Jaume Munar next.

In Mexico, Dan Evans defeated fifth seed Roman Safiullin 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round of the Los Cabos Open.

But hopes of an all-British tie were dashed when Jack Draper fell to a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 defeat to Thanasi Kokkinakis, who will face Evans next.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Norrie begins Rio title defence in style as Evans wins and Draper bows out in Los Cabos

Cameron Norrie began his Rio Open title defence with a straight-sets win over Hugo Dellien that left him “dripping sweat”.

The British No. 1 seemed to triumph comfortably, 6-3 6-2, but denied that it had been a routine victory against the Bolivian.

“Good sensations, good feelings on this court,” Norrie said. “You said it was pretty straightforward, but I was absolutely dripping sweat. So it’s never easy out here.”

Norrie, seeded second behind Carlos Alcaraz in Brazil, will face Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera in the second round.

The world No. 23 is looking to bounce back after his immediate exit in Buenos Aires last week to Federico Coria, which followed a strong run to the last 16 at the Australian Open that culminated in defeat to Alexander Zverev.

Norrie saved the only break point he faced against Dellien and took three of his seven opportunities against the Bolivian’s serve.

He wrapped up the win in 82 minutes and was pleased with his efforts.

“I think I managed my service games really well,” Norrie added.

“I served much better than last week [against Coria] and I was a bit more patient and knew I had to play point for point and really make the rallies a bit longer.

“I think I learned from last week with that, and just happy to be back in Brazil.”

Fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo also progressed, beating fellow Argentine Francisco Comesana to set up a tie against Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Home favourite Thiago Seyboth Wild booked a spot in the second round by beating Alejandro Tabilo in three sets and will face Jaume Munar next.

In Mexico, Dan Evans defeated fifth seed Roman Safiullin 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round of the Los Cabos Open.

But hopes of an all-British tie were dashed when Jack Draper fell to a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 defeat to Thanasi Kokkinakis, who will face Evans next.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com