By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans [9] def Gregoire Barrere 2-6 6-0 6-3
- Evans v Alexander Shevchenko | H2H: First Meeting
WASHINGTON D.C., USA – Dan Evans won his first match on the ATP tour for four months after he defeated Gregoire Barrere in three sets to set up a last 16 meeting with Alexander Shevchenko in Washington.
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Dan Evans [9] def Gregoire Barrere 2-6 6-0 6-3
Dan Evans’ losing streak on the ATP tour is over as he won his first match since Barcelona in April after a three set win over Gregoire Barrere in Washington. Evans’ lack of confidence was evident in the opening set though as he produced too many unforced errors, allowing Barrere to be aggressive and producing attacking shots on return. The first three breaks went to the returner with the Frenchman having the advantage at 2-1.
The ninth seed gradually built up his level throughout the set with a love hold in the fifth game helping his cause for an improvement in confidence. However that was only a temporary flurry as Barrere continued his opening set surge with another comfortable break in the fifth game to take a 5-2 lead. The world number 59 held to love to claim the opening set 6-2 in a 27 minute demolition job.
However there was a much better response from Evans who came back with a 27 minute set of his own as he worked the angles and crafted out opportunities against a more erratic Barrere. The Brit was clinical on serve and return which is something that hasn’t been said too often in the last few months as he took all three of his break point opportunities to wrap up the second set 6-0.
This match was yet to be a high quality affair but the third set proved to be the most dramatic and tense set of the match as both players played their best tennis. It was Barrere who started the set with more authority, testing the Evans serve with the Brit holding his nerve in the crucial moments to hold serve in the opening game.
Then it was Evans’ turn to test the Frenchman’s composure under pressure with Barrere saving four break points in the fourth game to hold for 2-2. However Evans would eventually expose the Frenchman’s lack of variety and in the sixth game, the world number 30 converted his eighth break point to take a 4-2 lead.
After securing control of the set, Evans was dominant on serve and produced clinical decision-making to neutralise Barrere’s power. The Brit converted his first match point to end his seven match losing streak on the main tour as he booked a place in the last 16 in Washington.
Dan Evans [9] v Alexander Shevchenko H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans [9] v Alexander Shevchenko | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Washington 2023 | Washington D.C., USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $26,905 |
| Fourth on Grandstand (21:30 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Evans will now take on rising star Alexander Shevchenko in the last 16 with Shevchenko knocking out Sebastian Korda in the last round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 30) | Alexander Shevchenko (WR 93) |
| Tournament Previous Best | QF (2022) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 60.7 | 56.7 |
| Service Games Won % | 76.4 | 72.1 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60.4 | 57.8 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 49.7 | 48.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 34.8 | 41.6 |
Evans has the edge on serve but will need to be at his best in this match against the powerful and efficient returning of Shevchenko.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Shevchenko has endured a good run on the Challenger circuit which has elevated him to the world’s top 100. However Shevchenko has struggled for results on the main tour and will now look to build confidence in Washington as he looks for form heading into the US Open and a boost up the rankings.
Evans will look to maintain a high level on serve and be aggressive on return as he looks to put Shevchenko into uncomfortable positions. Meanwhile Shevchenko will look to dominate on serve and use the angles to force unforced errors from Evans or force the Brit into playing passively from the baseline. This should be a tactical match and a match between two players who are in need of confidence. If Evans can be consistent with his level then he should win this match although recent form says that will be hard for the Brit to achieve.
Prediction: Shevchenko in three sets.
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