By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans [12] def Karen Khachanov [6] 6-3 6-4
- Evans v Francisco Cerundolo [15] | H2H: Evans leads 1-0
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Dan Evans defeated Karen Khachanov for a fourth consecutive time to book his spot in the quarter-finals in Barcelona where he will face Francisco Cerundolo.
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Dan Evans [12] def Karen Khachanov [6] 6-3 6-4
Dan Evans is into the quarter-finals in Barcelona for the first time after defeating Karen Khachanov. The win means Evans has won all four head-to-head meetings between the two players as Evans started the match comfortably. Khachanov, who was in good form, also started the match in efficient fashion as he only dropped two points on serve in his opening two service games.
However it was Evans who struck first as he tactically broke Khachanov’s forehand down with the sixth seed producing erratic errors. A break to love in the sixth game secured a 4-2 lead for Evans who was feeling comfortable on the clay courts of Barcelona. There was a good response from Khachanov in the following game as he was more proactive on return and forced Evans into some unforced errors of his own.
Despite Khachanov’s resurgence, the Brit fended off four break points in his next two service games as he remained clutch on his serve. Evans converted his first set point as he battled to a tough opening set in 43 minutes.
The 12th seed continued the momentum in the second set as he continued to dominate Khachanov’s powerful baseline game. The more slice and angles that Evans used, the more Khachanov gained frustration as the Brit broke in the opening game of the set. In his opening three service games, Evans only dropped two points as he continued to dominate and erratic Khachanov with some accurate and precise serving patterns.
The sixth seed attempted to earn the break back in the eighth game but he was to be denied as Evans remained clutch, saving break point. That was Khachanov’s only chance to get back into the match as the Brit closed out the match with ease to reach his first Barcelona quarter-final.
Dan Evans [12] v Francisco Cerundolo [15] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans [12] v Francisco Cerundolo [15] | H2H: Evans leads 1-0 |
| ATP Barcelona 2023 | Barcelona, Spain |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €69,020 |
| Fourth on Pista Rafa Nadal (16:30 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Evans will now face Francisco Cerundolo for a place in the semi-finals after the Argentinian defeated Casper Ruud.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 12 months)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 26) | Francisco Cerundolo (WR 32) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2017) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 62.7 | 66.9 |
| Service Games Won % | 77.9 | 76.1 |
| Break Points Saved % | 64 | 60.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 51.6 | 51.2 |
| Break Points Converted % | 36.2 | 40.1 |
Evans will look to be more clinical on return as Cerundolo has made a consistent start to the season in all areas.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Cerundolo’s win over Ruud is evidence of significant improvement in the Argentinian’s game with the world number 32 beating Felix Auger-Aliassime and Norrie in recent tournaments. Now Cerundolo looks to continue his good form as he targets a Roland Garros seeding place ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year.
Evans will look to continue to be aggressive and dictate points from the baseline, neutralising Cerundolo’s baseline play through the slice. The Argentinian will look to continue his serving consistency, extending the rallies to exhaust the Brit. This will be a tough test but Evans’ recent confidence and form this week should get him through this match.
Prediction: Evans in three sets.
Lorenzo Musetti [9] def Cameron Norrie [7] 3-6 6-4 6-1
As Evans contemplates the last eight, Cameron Norrie is now preparing for the Masters 1000 event in Madrid after a three set defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in Barcelona. Norrie was the first one to lose his serve in the third game after a few loose errors but the Brit soon gained control with some aggressive patterns of play.
The Brit would break twice and seal five games in a row as he took a 5-2 lead. Although Musetti retaliated with some powerful serving, Norrie efficiently closed out the opening set to love to take control of the match.
In the second set, both players secured quick service games but it was Musetti who had to work the hardest as he was forced to save three break points as Norrie couldn’t put the clinical final touch to his return games. That would come back to haunt him as Norrie started hitting unforced errors and faltered under pressure as Musetti converted his only break point of the set to seal the second set 6-4.
From then on it was all Musetti as fatigued looking Norrie sprayed unforced error after unforced error with the Italian easily breaking twice in the second and sixth games. Musetti took advantage of a careless final set from Norrie as he closed out the win to reach the last eight in Barcelona.
As for Norrie he will now prepare for the ten day event in Madrid which starts on the 24th of April.
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