Promising signs as Evans makes winning return

There was rust and a few extra pounds but also plenty of signs that Dan Evans remains a highquality tennis player as he marked his return from a year-long drugs ban with victory over countryman Ed Corrie.

The 27-year-old tired towards the end of the 6-3 7-6 (8/6) win but did enough to book his place in the second round of qualifying at the Glasgow Challenger.

The final three points showed why Evans is a talent British tennis has never been prepared to let slip away despite various misdemeanours, of which the latest was by far the most serious.

After whipping a backhand winner past Corrie to save a set point, Evans dug out a fine low volley to set up his first match point and took it with a backhand winner on the run.

He said: “I pretty much felt like I’d won the tournament. I didn’t know what was going to happen today so it’s good to come out on top and get another chance to play again tomorrow.

“I was pleasantly surprised. I played better than I have been. Some parts of my game need a bit of work but it’s the first match. I felt fine physically. I was getting a bit tired towards the end but after so long off that’s pretty normal, I think.”

Evans did not pick up a racket between learning of his failed test last June and February 24, when he was permitted to enter official training facilities again two months before the end of his ban.

● British No 1 Kyle Edmund crashed out of the Millennium Estoril Open in Portugal yesterday with a 6-3 1-6 6-0 quarter-final defeat by Joao Sousa.

Edmund clawed his way back into contention by overwhelming his Portuguese opponent in the second set.

But Edmund, third seed in the clay-court tournament, was swept aside in the decider.