DAN DUMPS DJOKOVIC
BRIT’S BIGGEST WIN:
DAN EVANS was “fired up” by Novak Djokovic’s pre-match gamesmanship before going on to claim the biggest victory of his career.
The Australian Open champion had been unbeaten in 2021 while the Briton had not won a Tour-level match on clay for four years before this week.
But Evans “dismantled” Djokovic 6-4 7-5 in stunning style to reach the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
And following his famous win over the world No.1, Evans revealed: “He kept me waiting at the start in the changing rooms a little bit. It was a little annoying so I was ready to go and that got me a little extra fired up.
“He gave me some cheap points which he never normally does, so I was a little lucky there, but I’m just really happy with coming through.
“It will be one to savour and tell the kids and grandkids that you beat the world No.1. It is a nice one.”
Andy Murray – at the 2016 Rome Masters – is the only previous British player to beat a world No.1 on clay. This was a remarkable highlight in Evans’ career, which hit rock bottom when he tested positive for cocaine and lost his ranking in 2017.
The world No.33 won 12 of the first 17 points of the match to go a double break up at 3-0.
Djokovic, playing his first event since Melbourne, appeared to resume normal service as he levelled at 4-4 before the rusty Serb was broken again and Evans took his third set point.
The 18-times Grand Slam winner then led 3-0 in the second set before being sliced into submission by Evans’ backhand.
Djokovic, who finished with 45 unforced errors, said: “He deserved to win – he dismantled my game.”
Evans later partnered Neal Skupski and beat Australian Open doubles winners Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek 3-6 7-6 13-11 after saving three match points. “It was a great day,” he added.
HEATHER WATSON has insisted playing for Great Britain is her “priority” as she prepares to face Mexico in a Billie Jean King Cup play-off tie in London today.
Jo Konta made herself unavailable as she is nursing knee problems before the clay season. Fran Jones has chosen to play a third-tier ITF event in Portugal instead.
But British No.2 Watson, who plays Giuliana Olmos in today’s second singles match, said: “It’s always been a priority to represent my country. Teams bring out my best.”
The play-off winners will head to final qualifiers for next year’s 12-team finals.