DAN: ANDY STILL THE MAN

Evans says Murray still best Brit

DAN EVANS insisted Andy Murray is still the best home-grown player after the new British No.1 won his own thrilling fivesetter in the first round of the Australian Open.

A year after the limping Scot lost an emotional match on the opening day here (right), Evans fought his way back from two sets down for the first time in his career to beat Mackenzie Mcdonald.

He then celebrated the win by patting his stomach in jest after Tim Henman’s recent jibes about his weight.

Evans, 29, is seeded and playing as Britain’s top-ranked player for the first time at a Grand Slam. Murray, who pulled out with a pelvis injury, is down at world No.128 and currently British No.4.

But No.30 seed Evans, who has no kit sponsor, said: “We all know who the British No.1 is and it is Andy Murray so there no title for me. He is the best player even at the minute when he is injured. That is how it will be.

“Andy hasn’t been in touch with me. It’s probably not that easy for him watching this all over again.

“He’s probably got pretty bad memories of this tournament right now from last year and is now missing it again, and it’s difficult that he’s injured.

“Everybody hopes he gets back on court sooner rather than later.”

Evans turned the air blue under the grey skies at Melbourne Park with his foul-mouthed frustration at his flat early play against the American world No.132.

After falling 5-1 down after only 20 minutes in the first set, he shouted: “Get hold of it. Relax a bit. Settle down. F ***** g do something.”

And the world No.33 followed his advice by fighting back to beat Mcdonald – and the rain – 3-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 in three hours 21 minutes.

“I was frustrated that I wasn’t playing my game,” Evans said. “It felt pretty good to let some out. Nothing against anyone who was there watching me, just good to come through.

“When you are tired, your patience is less and that is just how I thought I was today.

“I was frustrated. When you are two sets down, you think you are going home. I was just happy to turn it around.”