Evans out to repeat Henman’s feat of clay

DAN EVANS will try to employ the Tim Henman method of playing on clay as he faces a huge challenge against France in the Davis Cup quarter-final.

With andy murray absent, Evans and Kyle Edmund will play singles for GB on the indoor clay court laid in Rouen’s Kindarena for the tie starting tomorrow.

Evans, who has never played an ATP clay court event, has an attack-minded all court game similar to former British No 1 Henman. The management have been looking at the unlikely success enjoyed by Henman when he reached the semi-finals at the 2004 French Open.

‘We’ve had some really good conversations with Henners,’ said GB captain leon smith.

‘We have watched some footage, because i know that Dan can relate to the way Tim played and respects him a huge amount. Tim gave some really good insight into the mindset and the strategies needed when you have that sort of game.

‘Dan is doing very, very well and one of the main reasons is that he plays a bit differently. That’s really important to have that asset on any surface.’

Evans knows he must avoid getting dragged into a war of attrition. ‘The coaching staff have been helping me to keep playing the way i play on the hard court,’ he said. ‘i am just trying to be aggressive still and not fall into the trap of being too defensive.’

Richard Gasquet and Gael monfils are injured for France and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is on paternity leave.

World No 17 lucas Pouille will be their first singles player, with stalwart Gilles simon set to be replaced by Jeremy Chardy for the second spot.