Evans sets up Tsitsipas showdown

TENNIS: Birmingham’s Dan Evans battled his way into the second round of the Paris Masters with victory over Brandon Nakashima.

The British number two’s 6-3 3-6 6-4 win was his first at the Bercy event and set up a showdown with Greek world number five Stefanos Tsitsipas today.

Evans broke for 2-1 in the opening set and took his first set point on the Nakashima serve when the world number 50’s backhand drifted wide.

American Nakashima converted his first break point of the match to take the initiative at the start of the second.

Evans saved three break points to stay in it at 3-4 but Nakashima took his third set point to force the decider.

However, 32-year-old Evans began to dominate at the net again and a couple of crisp volleys secured a break for 3-2.

Two match points came and went on Nakashima’s serve but Evans finished the job on his own to wrap up victory in two hours and nine minutes.

CRICKET: Alan Richardson has been promoted to head coach of Worcestershire, with Kadeer Ali stepping up as assistant.

Alex Gidman left the club last month after four years in charge and the Pears have looked close to home for his replacement.

Richardson, who took 254 first-class wickets for Worcestershire as a player, worked as Gidman’s deputy and Kadeer was already involved as second-team coach.

Richardson said: “I’ve been involved in the club for a long time now and know its rich history.

“It’s a proud moment for me to take on this role at Worcestershire.

“Kadeer and I always work hard to improve and develop players and we look forward to working more closely with our professional squad and the famous production line of talent from our academy.

“All of our efforts will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and as a team. I feel that we’ve already got a good relationship with our members and supporters, and we’ll be looking to build on that.”