By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans def Filip Krajinovic 6-2 1-6 6-0
- Evans v Andrey Rublev [5] | H2H: Rublev leads 3-2
MONTREAL, CANADA – Dan Evans downed Filip Krajinovic in a rollercoaster match in Montreal to set up a second round meeting with fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
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Dan Evans def Filip Krajinovic 6-2 1-6 6-0
Dan Evans is into the second round in Montreal after a rollercoaster three set win over Filip Krajinovic. The Brit took control of the first set as he dictated the tempo of the rallies and found a way past the Serb’s aggressive power. Evans used all areas of the court as he converted two of his four break points to take a double break lead at 5-2.
Evans didn’t just impress on return, it was on serve where he managed to control the match on his terms and win the big points as he was forced to save two break points throughout the opening set. Krajinovic lacked that clinical touch to well-constructed rallies as Evans closed out the opening set to 15.
Krajinovic responded with authority in the second set as it was Evans’ turn to commit unforced errors in the humid air of Montreal. The Serb gained the early break and went from strength to strength on his serve as he created a lot of effective winners on serve.
After saving five break points in the fifth game, Krajinovic sealed the double break with a flurry of aggressive shots. The Brit remained frustrated as chances to seal this match in straight sets vanished before his own eyes as Krajinovic would produce an efficient hold of serve to force a deciding set.
However it was Evans who had the last laugh as he seemed to have more stamina, energy and tactical variety to outlast the Serb. Three efficient breaks of serve in the final set saw Krajinovic run out of steam as the world number 39 charged towards the second round with a third break of serve in a match that lasted just over 90 minutes.
Dan Evans v Andrey Rublev [5] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans v Andrey Rublev [5] | H2H: Rublev leads 3-2 |
| ATP Montreal | Montreal, Canada |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $42,760 |
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Evans will look to continue his good form when he takes on fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the second round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022 – Clay)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 39) | Andrey Rublev (WR 8) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R2 (2019) | R3 (2021) |
| 1st Serve % | 60.8 | 61.4 |
| Service Games Won % | 74.2 | 83.3 |
| Break Points Saved % | 54.1 | 64.1 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 51.3 | 51.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 42.5 | 38.3 |
Evans is the more effective player on return but is heavily outnumbered on serve and will look to improve those statistics if he wants to make the third round in Canada.
Playing Styles and Prediction
After having a good clay court season, Rublev has struggled for consistent results and wins with the Russian’s loss to Yoshihito Nishioka in Washington seen as a missed opportunity to reach another ATP final. Rublev will now look to gain valuable ground especially given he has to defend final points in Cincinnati next week.
Evans will need to be as aggressive as possible with most of the match being won or lost on serve. If the Brit has a good serving day then he has the confidence and form to come through this match but if his serve is underwhelming and lacks consistency then this will be an easy Rublev win. Either way this will be a good test for Evans on the road to the US Open.
Prediction: Rublev in three sets.
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