Evans makes great comeback

Dan Evans defeated Ireland’s Sam Barry to reach the main draw of the Glasgow Challenger and earn himself an ATP ranking again.

The 27-year-old came into the tournament unranked following the end of his 12-month drugs ban after he failed a test for cocaine in Barcelona last April.

Evans has only been back in practice for two months and surprised himself with his performance in the first round of qualifying on Saturday against countryman Ed Corrie.

The question mark was how his body would react after so long without the intensity of match play but Evans became more dominant during yesterday’s clash with Barry, ranked 488, at Scotstoun Leisure Centre.

After sharing the first eight games, Evans broke to lead 5-4 and dropped just one further game in a 6-4 6-1 triumph.

The victory guarantees him e885 (£780) in prize money and five ranking points, which would put him around 1,200 in the world when the standings are updated a week today.

Should Evans go on to win the tournament, he would earn e12,250 (£10,785) and pick up 90 ranking points, putting him around 425.

Britain’s Dominic Inglot won his eighth ATP Tour title by claiming the doubles crown with Croatia’s Franko Skugor at the Hungarian Open in Budapest.

They beat Dutchman Matwe Middelkoop and Andres Molteni of Argentina 6-7 (8/10) 6-1 10-8.

World No 1 Rafael Nadal won a record 11th Barcelona Open title yesterday after defeating Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1 in the final. It was Nadal’s 55th title on clay.