By Amanda Barlow
- Andy Murray [2] def. Yen-Hsun Lu 6-3 6-2 6-1
- Faces John Millman in the third round – H2H: Murray leads 1-0
- Dan Evans def. Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6(6) 6-4 6-1
- Faces Roger Federer for the first time
WIMBLEDON, UK – Andy Murray and Dan Evans both coasted into the third round at Wimbledon after the schedule caught up from a couple of rough days of rain.
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Andy Murray [2] def. Yen-Hsun Lu 6-3 6-2 6-1
Never an easy character, speedy around the court, and once stunned the now World No. 2 in his first Olympic experience – Lu could have been a tricky customer for Murray.
He set out his stall by breaking a clean-shaven Murray in the first game, with the Brit finally striking back to level at 3-3, before pushing ahead to break once more and take the first set.
Lu is returning from elbow surgery and it soon began to show, as Murray dished out some of his own medicine in the first game of the second set before speeding ahead again ay the end of it for a 2-0 lead.
It was déjà-vu as Murray broke again to start and this time put the pedal to the metal to close out another straight sets win that he could be relatively happy with.
As reported by the BBC: “The first set was tough,” said Murray, who last faced Lu at Wimbledon on the way to his historic 2013 win.
“I managed to hang on at the end of the first set, settled down towards the end of the second, and was hitting the ball much better in third and feeling more comfortable. If you can win matches easily it does help because you can rest. It has been a good start. I will just try and do my best – work hard, keep my head down and hopefully have a good tournament.”
Murray v John Millman – H2H: Murray leads 1-0
The Aussie seems to be having a bit pf a resurgence, having made it to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time this year on home turf. He made his first ATP World Tour quarter-final, and achieved a career high of No. 60 in May.
His win over Benoit Paire was a hard fought four setter, on top of the Frenchman battling for five sets in his opener, while Murray has comparatively breezed through his first two rounds.
The Aussie’s career has been held back with spates of injuries, but having also found out he has now qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics, he will be experiencing show court tennis at Wimbledon for the first time.
He can play with power and pace, and Murray will have to not try and rely on tricks like drop shots – the Aussie punished Paire mercilessly on his way to this encounter and Murray could well face a test here.
Prediction: Murray in three sets.
Dan Evans def. Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6(6) 6-4 6-1 – Faces Roger Federer next
After Marcus Willis mania, and the general weight of expectation on Murray’s shoulders, more British success came from Evans as he steamed past the 30th seed Dolgopolov. The Ukrainian and the Brit battled toe-to-toe in the first set wrestled the Brummie’s way in a tight tie-break.
Once the second set had gone the way of the Brit, there was a sense that the Ukrainian’s head had dropped as Evans raced out to a straight sets victory that sees him facing Federer next.
It was a polished performance from Evans who undoubtedly has talent, but has only recent decided to put in the hard yards and progress, climbing the rankings and sitting pretty as the British No. 4.
He described his performance as one of his best, before laying out his intent to make this more of a match than perhaps was expected from Willis in the previous round.
Evans made a spirited run to the third round of the US Open in 2013, and actually practiced with Federer but fell to Tommy Robredo before facing him. After admitting he had been a little star struck at the time – this time Evans talks like he means business.
He told the BBC: “It’s going to be good fun and an amazing experience to face Federer. I have got to prepare like I have a chance to win the match. I have to put to the back of my mind that he is one of the best players ever to play the game.”
“It’s not a day out for me, to be honest with you,” he continued. “It’s a chance. It’s a good chance tomorrow. I’m taking it seriously.”
Was he going to maybe tap Willis for some hints and tips as to how to get round the Swiss maestro?
“No. He lost in three straight [sets]. No advice needed,” he joked.
Evans has variety and even finesse but Federer will be able to do it better, and more consistently, but the atmosphere should be great for show court ticket holders.
Prediction: Federer in three sets
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