By Tony Fairbairn
- Dan Evans [25] def Jeremy Chardy [PR] 6-4 6-4 6-1
- Evans v Andrey Rublev [5] | H2H: Tied at 3-3
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Dan Evans eased past Jeremy Chardy to reach the third round where he will face Andrey Rublev for a place in the last 16.
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Dan Evans def Jeremy Chardy [PR] 6-4 6-4 6-1
Dan Evans cruised into the third round of the Australian Open with a straight sets win over Jeremy Chardy. The Brit started the match aggressively as he knew he had to take the match to the powerful Frenchman and he did exactly that, breaking to love in the opening game. Evans’ shot selection was flawless on serve in the opening set as he dissected Chardy’s serve and held efficiently.
As the set grew on Chardy became more confident in his hitting and started to test Evans’s defensive skills on a more regular basis. After failing to break in the fourth game, Chardy’s returning confidence paid off as he earned the break back in the sixth game as he levelled the set at 3-3.
The dip in Evans’ form didn’t last long though as the Brit worked the angles and continued to hit incredible angles to open up the court. Evans broke back in the next game and closed out the opening set to love as he took the opening set 6-4.
Just like the opening set, Evans grinded out the break in the opening game of the second set with some great ball-striking mixed with some tactical errors from Chardy. However in the second set there was more aggression from Evans on serve as he didn’t let the Frenchman play his own attacking style of play.
Evans did well to neutralise Chardy’s power with his slice and was able to set up effective winners of his own. The one break of serve was enough as Evans flawlessly came through his service games and raced to a two set lead.
A similar pattern followed in the final set only this time, Chardy saved two break points and held at the start of the set. That was the good news, the bad news is that was the only game the Frenchman won in the set as he had no answer for Evans’ court craft and slice. After saving two break points, Evans broke in three consecutive occasions as he completed a straight sets win and booked a place in the third round.
Dan Evans [25] v Andrey Rublev [5] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Dan Evans [25] v Andrey Rublev [5] | H2H: Tied at 3-3 |
| Australian Open 2023 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $227,925 |
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Evans will now play fifth seed Andrey Rublev for a place in the second week of the Australian Open.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 12 months)
| H2H: | Dan Evans (WR 30) | Andrey Rublev (WR 6) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R4 (2017) | Quarter-Final (2021) |
| 1st Serve % | 62.1 | 61.9 |
| Service Games Won % | 78.2 | 84.7 |
| Break Points Saved % | 58.9 | 63.5 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.8 | 50.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.5 | 38.8 |
Evans’ efficient return will need to be at its very best in order to overcome the clinical serve of Rublev.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Rublev has overcome a tough start to the Australian Open having defeated Dominic Thiem and Emil Ruusuvuori to reach the third round. The world number six will be hoping to keep up his aggressive tennis as he looks to finally make his breakthrough at Grand Slam level where he has disappointed for so long.
Evans will look to mix up the pace and direction of the rallies as he looks to force the errors from Rublev. The Russian will look to use his power from the baseline to dictate play and not allow Evans to have any say in this match. The match will be won and lost on serve and at the moment Rublev looks slightly more consistent which means he starts as favourite heading into this entertaining match.
Prediction: Rublev in five sets.
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