By Tony Fairbairn
- Alex De Minaur [10] def Dan Evans 6-3 6-7(4) 6-0 6-0
- Dan Evans was ‘wounded’ but didn’t have any regrets about finishing the match as body broke down in the last two sets.
NEW YORK, USA – Dan Evans offered perspective as his ‘wounded’ body gave up on him towards the end of his US Open exit against Alex De Minaur.
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After an incredible first two rounds, it was disappointment for Dan Evans as he just fell short of reaching the second week at the US Open.
Evans produced a fantastic effort in the first two sets but ultimately was well and truly beaten by Alex De Minaur in four sets.
It’s been an eventful tournament for Evans after the Brit’s historic five and a half hour victory over Karen Khachanov which was followed by a sensational victory over Mariano Navone.
However the third round proved to be a step too far as De Minaur came out of the blocks quickly with the Australian having the best season of his career so far.
Both players were serving efficiently and De Minaur had to be patient as he was forced to save break point in the sixth game.
However the tenth seed used his recent confidence to his advantage by claiming the next three games, breaking Evans’ serve twice in the process.
In the second set Evans played with more urgency and aggression as he took the match to De Minaur, creating two break points in the third game.
Unable to take them, Evans remained unfazed as he stuck to the game plan in order to win the big points.
Provisionally Evans’ efforts were rewarded as the Brit broke to love to have the opportunity to serve for the second set.
An immediate response from De Minaur meant that the second set would be decided by a tiebreak which Evans dominated to take 7-4.
The effort for Evans to win one set took its toll after an exhausting tournament as the Brit had to see the trainer at the start of the third set.
Despite his physical struggles Evans refused to give up as he gave the match a go but it proved to be a decision that didn’t affect the results.
De Minaur only needed 48 minutes to win 12 consecutive games as the Australian booked his place in the second week of the US Open.
Speaking after the match Evans described his physical state as being wounded but admitted it’s been an ‘amazing week.’
“A bit of me is wounded of course,” Evans told The Guardian.
“I fancied my chances against Demon [De Minaur], but it wasn’t to be. The draw was nice, and that’s what I’ve waited for for a long time, to see something like that, but I wasn’t good enough.
“I’ll sleep well for probably the next four or five days and I’ll be over that pretty quick. It’s been an amazing week. I came to America with no expectations and a lot of doubt, and I left with a lot of clarity that I can still do it at the higher level, not quite the top level, but the higher level.”
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Evans adds perspective, defends decision to finish match
Most players would have retired if they knew they couldn’t realistically finish the match but clearly that isn’t Evans’ style.
The Brit carried on as respect to the match and the opposition as he limped out of the US Open at the third round stage.
It’s a decision that Evans defended after the match as he wanted to respect the fans and the opposition.
“You finish the match,’ Evans was quoted by The Metro as saying.
“That’s just my way. And that’s how I was brought up. You stay till the end and shake hands. And he actually said, ‘Thanks for staying out there, respect’. And that’s not what I am doing it for.
“But people come into and pay and some are happy and some are not. After the second set, it reads: 6-0 6-0. But that’s by the by, for me, I couldn’t, couldn’t give a **** if it says six love, six love. I stayed out there to fight until the last ball.”
Now Evans looks forward to recovering and resting ahead of the rest of the season as the Brit is now outside the world’s top 100.
That isn’t something Evans is too concerned about at the moment as he said there are bigger things in life than tennis as he now looks ahead to the Davis Cup Finals.
“My groin and my hip have been been sore ever since the first match. I will be fine after a few days’ rest,” Evans told The Metro.
“A few beers will help as well. Then I’ll play Davis Cup and hopefully we’ll qualify for the finals [which will be played in Malaga in late November]. I want to take a proper rest at some point. It’s important not just for me but for [his girlfriend] Aleah, and for my team.
“It takes a toll on other people as well when you’re not winning. It’s not just about turning up every day to play tennis. There’s bigger things in life.”
The Davis Cup group stage will take place in Manchester on the 10th to the 15th of September with Great Britain facing Canada, Finland and Argentina.
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