Dan stokes nationality row after drop down standings
DAN Evans insists he is still the British No.3, despite dropping behind Aljaz Bedene in the world rankings.
The British No.4 has slipped to 58th, two places below Sloveniaborn Bedene, in the standings.
Evans, from Birmingham, was knocked out of the Mutua Madrid Open in the first round yesterday after a straight-sets defeat to Dutchman Robin Haase.
Bedene, 27, moved to the UK in 2008 and switched nationality in March 2015, but represented Slovenia in three Davis Cup ties.
When told he was the British No.4, Evans asked: “Fourth?”
When reminded he was behind Bedene, he added: “Oh, so I’m third.”
Evans added: “I don’t think he really believes he’s British either. It’s nothing against Aljaz. I like him, he’s not confrontational in any way, but to me it doesn’t sit well if you play for another country. “I don’t feel bad about him, but for me it’s a bit baffling as to why.” Evans had previously spoken out against Bedene’s switch, saying – before the change of allegiance was confirmed – he should not be allowed to represent Britain in the Davis Cup. International Tennis Federation rules do not allow players to represent more than one country in the Davis Cup. Bedene had an attempt to overturn his ban and play for Britain rejected by an arbitration hearing in March. Evans went out in Madrid after making poor starts in both sets, with world No.45 Haase winning 7-5 6-2 in one hour and 19 minutes. Evans only registered the first two ATP Tour wins on clay of his career last month at the Barcelona Open. He was broken in the opening game, but levelled at 5-5, only to be broken again immediately before Haase, 30, served out the first set. Evans then lost his first two service games of the second set, allowing Haase to wrap up the match.
Meanwhile, Eugenie Bouchard produced a brilliant fighting display to win her grudge match against Maria Sharapova at the Mutua Madrid Open.
The pair faced each other in the second round in Spain with Bouchard winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in a competitive and tense match. Canadian Bouchard had called Sharapova “a cheater” prior to the Russian’s return to competitive action in April after a 15-month doping ban.
It was world number 60 Bouchard’s first ever win over Sharapova, whom she believes should be banned from tennis for life.
Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam winner, had her ban reduced to 15 months and, in October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Sharapova was not an “intentional doper”.
I don’t think he really believes he’s British. It’s nothing against Aljaz, but to me it doesn’t sit well if you play for another country.
Dan Evans