Dan Evans in the first round of the 2021 Mutua Madrid Open, Spain
Dan Evans in the first round of the 2021 Mutua Madrid Open, Spain | (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Tennis | ATP Madrid | Evans battles his way past Millman to face former champion Zverev in third round

  • Dan Evans def. John Millman 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3
  • Evans v Alexander Zverev [5] | H2H: Evans leads 1-0 (Tour level)
MADRID, SPAIN – Dan Evans had to work for his place in the third round, where he will face Alexander Zverev.

 

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Dan Evans def. John Millman 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3

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Already on his best showing on clay, British No. 1 Dan Evans’ fighting spirit saw him come through another tough match, as he won another taut three-setter, beating John Millman from a set down.

It certainly started well for Evans who broke the Aussie in the opening came, but was pegged back mid-set, with no sniff of a break point for either player until the tie-break. A trade of mini-breaks made it tight, with Millman just getting the edge at the end to sneak the first set.

Millman looked to be the one pressuring early in the second set but couldn’t get the breakthrough, with Evans recovering to break Millman twice in a row to level up the match.

It was a similar path in the decider, with Millman seeing four break points come and go before Evans broke in the penultimate game and taking the match.

 

Dan Evans v Alexander Zverev [5] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Dan Evans v Alexander Zverev [5] H2H: Evans leads 1-0 (Tour Level_
ATP Madrid Madrid, Spain
Clay (O) Prize Money: €36,400
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Next up for the Brit is the 2018 Madrid champion Alexander Zverev, who has yet to really catch light on the clay court season so far.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021 – Clay)

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H2H: Dan Evans (WR 26) Alexander Zverev (WR 6)
Tournament Previous Best R1 (2017) Title (2018)
1st Serve % 64.6 60.1
Service Games Won % 79.8 81.5
Break Points Saved % 70.9 69.7
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 50.4 51.2
Break Points Converted % 46.1 43.9

Zverev is just a little sharper on his service games, despite having played a lot less than Evans already this season and also is quick to punish any safe shots on second serves coming his way, but in all other aspects they are very closely matched.

 

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Playing Styles & Prediction

Without Evans remarkable run on clay this year, this would have been a straight pick for Zverev, but something has clicked on the dirt for the Brit. Zverev has had a bit of a slow start to the clay court season and is actually still in search of his first back to back win on clay this year.

Zverev will look to dictate from the baseline, but even if Evans employs all his variety, Zverev is sharp at the net as well. This could be a tough match-up for the Brit, and coming off two tough three-setters already, if Evans gets dragged into a decider, it could just be a round too far.

Prediction: Zverev in three sets.

 

 

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