By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans [2] v Alexei Popyrin 6-1 6-3
- Evans v Andrea Vavassori [Q] | H2H: First Meeting
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO – Dan Evans ended his six match losing streak by defeating Alexi Popyrin in straight sets in Marrakech, setting up a quarter-final meeting with Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori.
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Dan Evans [2] def Alexei Popyrin 6-1 6-3
Dan Evans began his clay court season in successful fashion with a straight sets win over Alexei Popyrin. The Brit started the match in fine form as his high quality returning forced Popyrin into uncharacteristic unforced errors. Evans converted his second break point to break in the opening game and continued his confidence into his return games.
Popyrin hardly had an effect on Evans’ serves as the Brit continued to anticipate the Australian’s power in effective style. After holding to love, Evans continued to be efficient on return with the second seed breaking on two more occasions to take the opening set 6-1 in 27 minutes.
The second set was a much closer affair with Evans unable to replicate the high quality returning he produced in the opening set. Popyrin gained confidence with efficient service games as he imposed his forehand on the defensive skills of Evans. However the Brit remained strong on serve with some tactical first serves as he only three points on serve in his opening three service games.
In the end it was the sixth game that saw Evans deal the decisive blow as he started to win the longer rallies again as he converted his second break point for a 4-2 lead. The world number 30 saved two break points when serving for the match and eventually closed out his first win since the Australian Open on his third match point.
Dan Evans [2] v Andrea Vavassori [Q] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans [2] v Andrea Vavassori [Q] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Marrakech 2023 | Marrakech, Morocco |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €17,010 |
| First on Centre Court, at 10:30am (11:30 BST) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
Evans now faces Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori for a place in the semi-finals of Marrakech.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 12 months)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 30) | Andrea Vavassori (WR 201) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R1 (2022) | QR2 (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 61.3 | 67.7 |
| Service Games Won % | 74.2 | 79.5 |
| Break Points Saved % | 57.9 | 66.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 49.8 | 43.4 |
| Break Points Converted % | 32.7 | 47.6 |
Evans will look to continue to take advantage on serve against the tactical and efficient serving of Vavassori.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
The Italian has been better known for his doubles partnership with Lorenzo Sonego but the world number 201 has the tactical knowledge to be effective as a singles player on clay. Vavassori’s second round win over Jaume Munar is proof that he shouldn’t be underestimated as he looks to use this time of the year to rise up the rankings.
Evans will look to continue to be efficient on return especially on the second serve and will look to use depth to force Vavassori behind the baseline. Meanwhile the Italian will look to use his serve to take out Evans’ slice and come to the net as much as possible as that is where he is most effective. This should be a good clay court test for Evans heading into bigger events to come later on in the clay court swing but baring any self-inflicted catastrophe, he should edge through.
Prediction: Evans in three sets.
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