EVANS OUT TO TRUMP ROGER
Reformed bad boy sets sights on Federer WED: 5PM
DO NOT adjust your TV sets. Another Brit who is not called Andy Murray will today face Roger Federer on Centre Court.
Enter Dan Evans, who yesterday in brilliant late-morning sunshine, stylishly despatched pony-tailed Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, the 30th seed, 7-6, 6-4, 6-1.
And so, when Evans steps on to the most fabled lawn in tennis, ranked No91 in the world, he will follow in the footsteps of his pal Marcus Willis.
That first encounter was the greatest sporting mismatch since 1 Samuel 17 reported on stone slinging — this time, Goliath won summarily in straight sets.
Evans is a distinct class up from Willis, however, and he is not wishing to turn their third-round match into a circus by cramming the arena with supporters from Solihull, in imitation of Willis’ splendidly enthusiastic fan club.
‘It’s not a day out for me,’ said Evans, the British No4. ‘It’s a good opportunity. It’s not the Lord Mayor’s Show. I’m going to be taking it seriously.’
Not that he has always taken his tennis that way. He and Willis were once big party animals. They were in mortal danger of drinking their careers away. Both still enjoy refuelling at the ‘right time’, but are fundamentally reformed.
Of the two, Evans is further down that redemptive road: he was ranked 772 in the world last May — precisely the position Willis occupied on the first day of the Championships when he pulled off the first-round victory that set up his clash with Federer.
From being stripped of his Lawn Tennis Association funding as a junior for staying out until the early hours on the morning of a doubles match at Wimbledon, Evans is now putting in the hours on court.
‘I let a lot of people down,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘It was difficult to see them keep being disappointed in what I’d been doing. They gradually got the message through. But it took a few knocks at the door.’
He was his own jaunty man in the post-match press conference. A slight Midland twang to his voice, he was smiling, bright, polite and amusing.
Will he seek Willis’ advice on Federer? ‘No. Lost in three sets. No advice needed,’ he said. On talking to Willis after his Eddie the Eagle-style fame: ‘Are you kidding me? I don’t get a word out of him. He’s a celebrity now. Just looks at his phone. I spoke to him yesterday and it was like speaking to a brick wall. He doesn’t speak.’
Would he wear ‘RF’ on his shirt like Willis? ‘No. I’m surprised the All England let him wear it because it was slightly off-white,’ he added. ‘Don’t know how long he’s had it. I have shared a room with him. It might not even have been clean.’
It may not quite be Wildean wit, but he has a quote from Oscar on one of his tattoos: ‘Every sinner has a future’.
At one point, his father did not believe he had. Dad warned his son that he was squandering his talent so much that he might end up doing what he did — being an electrician. You see, Evans is not from traditional tennis stock. He is a natural maverick, a loveable rogue.
As for playing Federer, Evans thought the chance would never come after he lost to Tommy Robredo in the 2013 US Open when the Swiss was awaiting him in the fourth round, previously his best Grand Slam run.
‘I practised with him at the US Open when I was playing there,’ he added. ‘I was a bit star-struck, a bit nervous when I hit with him.
‘The match against him will be a great experience. Hopefully an even better one than most people think. Of course, it’s going to be tough. I’m going to go through some pain running around. But I’ll enjoy every minute of it, whatever the score.’