Dan Evans is ranked 199th in the world Great Britain's Dan Evans made an impressive start to his Queen's tournament by beating world number 13 Frances Tiafoe 7-5 6-2 to reach the last 16. The victory was Evans' first against a top-20 player since since he defeated world number 12 Alex de Minaur at the 2023 Davis Cup. Evans is looking to rebuild his ranking, having dropped from a career-high 21st in the world a couple of years ago to 199th. Given a wildcard entry at Queen's he was handed a tough start against American Tiafoe, who reached the quarter-finals of the French Open this year. But Tiafoe has often struggled on grass and Evans took full advantage on a hot day in west London, playing some of his best tennis in years to claim an impressive straight-set win. He made an encouraging start to this match, fending off a break point before securing the break himself at 3-3. Tiafoe broke back immediately when Evans overcooked his forehand and momentum appeared to swing the American's way in a 10-minute spell where his opponent had little answer to him. But Evans, encouraged by the home crowd, dug in and battled from 5-4 down to secure a second break before closing out the set. The momentum was now with Evans and a five-game winning streak put him 2-0 up at the start of the second set. Evans got a stroke of luck at 3-1 up when his forehand clipped the net cord to drop over and secure a double break. From then on he closed out the match before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he sealed his place in the next round.
Impressive Evans beats Tiafoe to reach last 16 at Queen's
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Dan Evans Advances to Last 16 at Queen's After Upset Victory Over Frances Tiafoe"
Bbc News
8.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Dan Evans, currently ranked 199th in the world, made a remarkable start to the Queen's tournament by defeating world number 13, Frances Tiafoe, with a score of 7-5, 6-2, thus advancing to the last 16. This victory marks Evans' first triumph over a top-20 player since he overcame Alex de Minaur, ranked 12th, during the 2023 Davis Cup. Evans is on a mission to rebuild his ranking, having fallen from a career-high position of 21st a few years ago. Despite being granted a wildcard entry at Queen's, he faced a challenging match against Tiafoe, who had recently reached the quarter-finals of the French Open. However, Tiafoe has struggled on grass courts, and Evans capitalized on this weakness, showcasing some of his best tennis in recent years on a warm day in west London.
The match began with Evans showing promise as he fended off a break point and then broke Tiafoe's serve at 3-3. Although Tiafoe managed to break back quickly, the momentum shifted again as Evans, spurred on by the supportive home crowd, fought back from 5-4 down to secure another break and take the first set. With newfound confidence, Evans dominated the second set, achieving a five-game winning streak that put him ahead 2-0. A fortunate moment came when a forehand of his clipped the net cord and fell favorably, allowing him to secure a double break at 3-1. He maintained control of the match and ultimately closed it out, earning a standing ovation from the crowd as he celebrated his impressive victory and advancement to the next round.
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