Dan Evans, one spot behind career 22, has reached the third round of the US Open five times
| Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Events: 29 Aug-11 Aug September |
| Cover: Daily radio commentary via ` Sounds and the ` Sport website and app, with selected live text commentary and match reports on the website and app |
Dan Evans was the third Briton to reach the third round of the US Open singles with a comfortable win over Australian James Duckworth.
British no.
Former world number one Andy Murray and rising star Jack Draper won their second-round matches on Wednesday.
Cameron Norrie, the nation’s leading player, is aiming to join them in the last 32 when he meets Portugal’s Joao Sousa.
Seventh seed Norrie, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, followed Evans in 12th as he attempted to hit a career-best run at Flushing Meadows.
If Norrie wins, it will be the first time four British men have featured in the third round of the US Open and only the second time at any of the four major events of the Open era.
Still, Evans, 32, has criticized the development of the country’s players in the past and wasn’t too sure about throwing himself too much into the future ahead of Thursday’s game.
“What’s after Jack (Draper) there? Nothing. Those are the facts.
“[British men’s tennis] in a good place, I’m not saying it’s not, but we need to get through more.”
Evans enjoying himself in New York
Evans may be headed for the later years of his career – he says he’s not even considering retirement – but is enjoying some of his best runs at the bigger events.
The world No. 22 has shown a strong fondness for the North American hard courts and is feeling more relaxed after ‘not particularly enjoying’ the increased control at Wimbledon.
A run to the Montreal semifinals – the second time he has reached the last four of a Masters tournament – was good preparation for the US Open.
Last year in New York, he reached the fourth round, setting the best run of his Grand Slam career with the last 16 at the 2017 Australian Open.
Now he’s just one win away from reaching that mark again, but he faces a tough test against the hard-hitting Croatian 15th seed Cilic.
Evans was dominant in the first two sets against Duckworth only to drop the third set after losing the first break point the Australian created in the match.
Suddenly, the momentum seemed to spread to 30-year-old Duckworth. He broke 2-0 and led 3-1 in the fourth set before Evans struggled to turn the set in his favor and claim the win with a stunning running backhand winner.
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