Kyle Edmund in the first round of the US Open, New York 2018
Kyle Edmund in the first round of the US Open, New York 2018 | (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tennis | ATP Montreal 2019 | Evans pushes Nadal, Edmund dominated by Medvedev

By Jed Jones

  • Rafael Nadal [1] def. Dan Evans 7-6(6), 6-4
  • Daniil Medvedev [8] def. Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-0
MONTREAL, CANADA – Dan Evans and Kyle Edmund produced very contrasting performances, although they both suffered defeat in the second round of the Rogers Cup.

 

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Rafael Nadal [1] def. Dan Evans 7-6(6), 6-4

Dan Evans in the first round of the Nature Valley International, Eastbourne 2019
Dan Evans in the first round of the Nature Valley International, Eastbourne 2019 | (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA)

Dan Evans surprised nearly everyone and gave the No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal a very stern test. Many thought that the Spaniard would blitz past the British No. 2 and that was very far from the case.

In the pairs first ever meeting, it was the 29-year-old from Birmingham who drew first blood, breaking in the very first game. The Brit managed to keep his lead going for some time before Nadal eventually broke back midway through the first set. Evans looked very comfortable in the forecourt and back-to-back serve and volley combinations helped him fend off two set points in the tenth game. Evans led 6-4 in the tiebreak only for Nadal to win the next four points – showing us why he is the No. 1 seed here.

The Spaniard appeared to carry his momentum into the second set, breaking Evans immediately. The Brit demonstrated his fighting qualities and found a way to break back just five games later. The Montreal crowd were being treated to some spellbinding tennis as the contrasting styles were matching up. In the end, Nadal was too strong for Evans and he served out the match to book his spot in the last sixteen. Evans can certainly leave Canada with his head held high.

 

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Daniil Medvedev [8] def. Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-0

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Just a day after his awesome performance against Nick KyrgiosKyle Edmund looked out of sorts after a swift defeat to Daniil Medvedev. The British No. 1 was brushed aside by the eighth seed after just 59 minutes on court.

Going into this match, Edmund carried a 2-0 H2H record over his opponent and after his first round performance, you would think the Brit fancied his chances. The end result may not have been so surprising, but the manner in which it happened definitely shocked a few people. Despite Medvedev enjoying the season of his life (so far), Edmund was not able to bring his destructive best.

The Brit was especially poor behind his serve, winning just 57% of points on his first delivery and just a quarter of points behind his second serve. Edmund had a total of three break points throughout the anticlimactic contest, however, it was the world No. 9 who was more clinical – taking all five of his chances. Despite the loss, Edmund should keep his place in the top 30.

Evans and Edmund will both move on to the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

 

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