Wimbledon 2016: Dan Evans beats Alexandr Dolgopolov to set up Roger Federer tie
Thursday 30 June 2016 15:28, UK
Dan Evans stormed into a third-round meeting with Roger Federer at Wimbledon with an impressive straight-sets win over 30th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Evans, the world No 91, resumed this morning locked at 6-6 in the first set after his match with the Ukrainian was suspended due to bad weather on Wednesday, and the pair got underway with a tie-break that Evans secured 8-6.
The 26-year-old then romped through the next two sets to seal an emphatic 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-1 success that secured a showdown with 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer.
Evans had never previously won a match at the Championships but having beaten Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round he will now face Federer after the Swiss legend beat Evans' great friend Marcus Willis on Centre Court.
A year ago the British No 4 was ranked in the 700s but he came into the tournament in good form after reaching the third round in Nottingham last week and he has now matched that with a career-best showing at the All England Club.
On this form, Federer is likely to find his second successive British opponent a much more challenging prospect.
Evans, who reached the third round of US Open in 2013 while knocking out Kei Nishikori and Bernard Tomic, served impressively and moved well to outplay Dolgopolov from the back of the court as well as coming to the net at the right moments.
He quickly moved a double break ahead in the second set and, although he failed to serve it out initially, he made no mistake second time around.
Evans then broke Dolgopolov twice to lead 3-0 in the third set and with Davis Cup captain Leon Smith in attendance, the British No 4 eased through the rest of the set for the loss of just one game and into a showdown with Federer which he is relishing.
"He's not a normal guy obviously, but he's another tennis player who I have to prepare myself to just play another match," said Evans.
"Against him, it would be stupid to say it's not a special occasion to play him. It will be on a big court. It's going to be a great, great experience. Hopefully an even better one than most people think.
"It's not a day out for me. It's a chance. It's a good opportunity. It's not a Lord Mayor's Show. I'm taking it seriously."
Sam Querrey was another seed to get his second round match completed early, the 28th seed came through in straight sets against Thomaz Bellucci to set up a third-round meeting with Novak Djokovic.
Fourteenth seed Roberto Bautista Agut is into the last 32 after his opponent Mikhail Kukushkin withdrew injured and, with the weather relenting, John Isner saw off Marcos Baghdatis in one of several outstanding first round matches to finally be completed.
Mikhail Youzhny and 32nd seed Lucas Pouille also advanced from their delayed opening round matches.
