By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans [Q] def Taro Daniel 6-2 7-6(4)
- Evans v Frances Tiafoe [1] | H2H: Tiafoe leads 5-3
ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN – Dan Evans defeated Taro Daniel in straight sets to set up a blockbuster second round match with Frances Tiafoe in Almaty.
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Dan Evans [Q] def Taro Daniel 6-2 7-6(4)
Dan Evans is into the second round in Almaty after a comfortable win over Taro Daniel. The Brit needed a win in this match as he looks to recover his ranking and in the early stages the world number 180 seemed a bit nervy as he faced three break points in the third game. However Evans produced some tidy points to save the break points and responded with a break of his own for a 3-1 lead.
As the set went on, Evans continued to apply more pressure on return as all the nerves had gone and was gaining confidence. That showed in the eighth game as he followed up a comfortable hold with a break to love as the Brit took the opening set in 43 minutes. Although Daniel didn’t produce a great opening set, the world number 89 produced a much cleaner second set as he put early pressure on Evans’ serve.
The Brit survived the latest wave of pressure and created two break points in the sixth game as he looked to kill the match off. However Evans made some poor decisions and was made to pay for some wasteful shot-making with Daniel breaking for a 4-3 lead in the next game. That break gave Daniel confidence as he cruised to his next service hold and was on the cusp of forcing a deciding set.
However Daniel couldn’t close out the set and played some passive points in the tenth game allowing Evans to break back at 5-5. This meant the second set would be decided by a tiebreak and it was a dominant start for Evans who cruised into a 5-1 lead.
Despite losing the next three points, Evans recovered to win both return points and seal a place in the second round in Kazakhstan.
Dan Evans [Q] v Frances Tiafoe [1] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Dan Evans [Q] v Frances Tiafoe [1] | H2H: Tiafoe leads 5-3 |
ATP Almaty 2024 | Almaty, Kazakhstan |
Indoor Hard | Prize Money: $18,195 |
Fourth on Centre Court (Not before 15:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Top seed Frances Tiafoe awaits in the second round for Evans as the pair will meet for the ninth time.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 180) | Frances Tiafoe (WR 15) |
Tournament Previous Best | N/A | N/A |
1st Serve % | 56 | 57.9 |
Service Games Won % | 76.8 | 83.7 |
Break Points Saved % | 60.9 | 64.3 |
2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 49.7 | 48.6 |
Break Points Converted % | 33.6 | 35.4 |
Evans will need to be consistent and efficient on return as he is playing one of the most clinical servers on the tour in the form of Tiafoe.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Under new coach David Witt, Tiafoe has been rejuvenated having reached the final in Cincinnati before reaching his second US Open semi-final. Since his run at the US Open, Tiafoe has been poor and will now look to have a strong end to the year in order to build momentum for next season.
Evans will look to frustrate Tiafoe by using the slice to force errors from the American as the Brit will be aggressive on the forehand side. Meanwhile Tiafoe will aim to serve aggressively and take the match to Evans, finishing points off at the net. Tiafoe normally doesn’t perform well in the early stages of lower ranked events so if Evans can find his confidence early then he could have a very good chance of winning this match.
Prediction: Evans in three sets.
How to Watch/Follow ATP Almaty 2024
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TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
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