Madrid Open: Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans make British tennis history by joining Andy Murray in third round
British No 1 Cameron Norrie beat big-serving American John Isner in three sets, winning 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-4; Dan Evans posted an impressive 6-3 5-7 7-6 (2) success over home favourite Roberto Bautista Agut; Andy Murray beat Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday to set up a clash with Novak Djokovic
Wednesday 4 May 2022 21:17, UK
Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans helped create British history at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.
Norrie and Evans both joined Andy Murray in the third round to make it the first ATP Masters 1000 event on clay where Britain has had three players at that stage.
Murray booked his spot - and a meeting with old rival Novak Djokovic - on Tuesday night and Norrie and Evans followed suit the next day.
British No 1 Norrie beat big-serving American John Isner in three sets, winning 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-4.
The 26-year-old, ranked 11th in the world, was able to find decisive breaks at key moments of the first and third sets to make it through and set up a date with rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
Evans, who has been short of wins lately, posted an impressive 6-3 5-7 7-6 (2) success over home favourite Roberto Bautista Agut and will next play world No 8 Andrey Rublev.
Nadal wins on return from injury
Rafa Nadal is also through to the last 16 after returning from an injury lay-off to beat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1 7-6(4).
Nadal, competing in his first match since March following a rib injury, quickly found his rhythm in a strong start against Serbian Kecmanovic.
Rain suspended play early in the second set and 21-time Grand Slam champion Nadal lost momentum.
The 35-year-old Spaniard, hitting with explosive power, recovered from failing to serve out the match at 6-5 in the second set to seal victory in just under two hours.
Nadal, who improved his win-loss record to 21-1 for the season, is aiming to win his sixth title on home soil in Madrid having last won the tournament in 2017, and will next play qualifier David Goffin.
Earlier, world No 3 Alexander Zverev overcame a slow start to beat Marin Cilic 4-6 6-4 6-4, while qualifier Dusan Lajovic beat fifth seed Casper Ruud 7-6(7) 2-6 6-4.
