By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans def Oscar Otte [LL] 6-4 7-6(3)
- Evans v Karen Khachanov | H2H: Evans leads 2-0
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Dan Evans downed Oscar Otte in straight sets to reach the second round in Vienna where he will face Karen Khachanov.
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Dan Evans def Oscar Otte [LL] 6-4 7-6(3)
Dan Evans is into the second round in Vienna after a straight sets victory over big-serving German Oscar Otte. The Brit made a lightning quick start as he neutralise Otte’s awkward game style with confident returning and powerful baseline play. The German came to the net ten more times than Evans did yet the pair won the same amount of points as the Brit’s anticipation skills were rapid.
Evans’ confident start was rewarded with a double break lead as he grinded two breaks of serve for a 4-1 lead. Otte immediately gained one of the breaks of serve back but was always on the back foot as Evans deconstructed the German’s attacking skills to earn more break points. Despite not converting any more opportunities, Evans cruised to the opening set in the end in a dominant 42 minutes.
However the Brit maybe got a bit too confident as he produced a poor start to the second set with Otte raising his level and intensity especially on the forehand side. The German’s consistent attacking threat was rewarded with an early break as Otte took an early 3-0 lead at the start of the second set.
After a poor first few return games, Evans eventually found his rhythm towards the end of the second set as he continued to find solutions against Otte’s attacking play. After failing to convert two break points in the seventh game, the Brit did eventually find away through in the ninth game as the second set was back on serve.
Both players powered through tight service games with some clutch points as the second set would be decided in a tiebreak. In the end it was Evans who was more clinical on return as he booked a place in the second round.
Dan Evans v Karen Khachanov H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans v Karen Khachanov | H2H: Evans leads 2-0 |
| ATP Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| Indoor Hard | Prize Money: €34,355 |
| Second on #Glaubandich Court (13:30 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Next up for Evans is big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov with the pair meeting twice previously and both won by the Brit.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 26) | Karen Khachanov (WR 18) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Semi-Final (2020) | QF (2016, 2019) |
| 1st Serve % | 61.6 | 64 |
| Service Games Won % | 78 | 82.5 |
| Break Points Saved % | 57.9 | 64.8 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 51 | 49.2 |
| Break Points Converted % | 42.7 | 39.9 |
It’s return against serve in this match-up as Khachanov’s precise serving will be put to the test against Evans’ clinical returning.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Khachanov is looking to capitalise on the momentum that he gained at the US Open, where he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final. The Russian is set for a big year next season having had a consistently good second half of the season and Khachanov knows that with his big forehand, he can cause any player problems.
Evans will look to target the backhand side of the Russian and make deep returns, preventing Khachanov from dictating the play from the baseline. If Evans can get his confidence going on serve then he should prevail but will be wary of Khachanov’s form and effective serving heading into this match.
Prediction: Evans in straight sets.
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