Evans Kei-bo shed at Indian Wells
GREAT Britain’s Dan Evans was found wanting against No.4 seed Kei Nishikori in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters at Indian Wells.
Almost four years since Evans sprang a major shock when beating Nishikori in the US Open first round, yesterday’s clash offered no such upset.
Instead the British No.2 Evans bowed out 6-3 6-4 to Japan’s leading player, as he joined doubles partner Andy Murray in making an exit from the singles event.
The statistics laid his shortcomings on Sunday bare, with Evans landing only 45 per cent of his first serves and then winning just over a third of points on his second.
Murray’s shock defeat to Canada’s Vasek Pospisil had left British hopes in the men’s event resting on the shoulders of Evans and Kyle Edmund, who faced world No.2 Novak Djokovic late last night.
Nishikori cruised through the opening set before finding greater resistance from Evans in the second. At 4-4, Evans had an eye on forcing a decider, but he gave up his serve and Nishikori made no mistake in closing out the match.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, eased past Argentine Guido Pella 6-3 6-2 to reach the last 32.
Meanwhile, Johanna Konta was also bounced out, the No.11 seed ousted in the third round of the women’s singles by France’s Caroline Garcia.
No.21 seed Garcia showed impressive resilience against the British No.1 Konta.
She fought back from a set down to win 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7/1), sealing her win and a place in the last 16 with a powerful cross-court backhand.