DAN SMASHES CAM
Evans charges into semis and now takes on Murray
DAN EVANS powered through to the semi-finals of the Schroders Battle of the Brits last night and now faces a clash with Andy Murray.
With temperatures soaring inside the National Tennis Centre, the British No1 was too hot for Cameron Norrie, winning 6-3, 6-3.
Former British No1 Murray dug deep to beat James Ward 6-3, 7-5 in what was his third match in three days after seven months out.
Evans, who is up to a career-high world No28, was up first and he hit 21 winners and broke the British No3 Norrie four times.
He is now looking forward to his first match against Murray. Evans said: “It will be difficult. There is always more to beating Andy than just tennis but anyone who makes the semi-finals can win the tournament. I played really well against Cam. I thought it was a high-level match. It is tough – I travel a lot and see Cam all the time and we are good friends. We play doubles together as well.
“This tournament is so strange. Everyone knows each other so well. It was not easy and I thought he played pretty well.”
Murray, meanwhile, was urged to add grunt to his serve by his coach Jamie Delgado – while his constant commentary of complaints were picked up by the courtside microphones. But the two-time Wimbledon champion, who lost to Kyle Edmund on Wednesday, held his nerve to extend his latest comeback into the weekend.
“It was really tough,” said the Scot, who is now No129 in the world. “I felt Wardie played well and we had a lot of long games. He fought really hard. Physically, it was a pretty tough match. I am feeling my hip a little bit but it is not really affecting my movement. It was sore in November. However, I felt like I have moved the best that I have moved in the three matches today, which is positive. But I am delighted I have now got a rest day because I am very tired.”
Murray was broken three times by British
No7 Ward — but each time he broke straight back and took his first match point with a stunning forehand winner down the line.
Delgado said: “The grunting is something we always remind Andy of, just for the simple reason it helps him express himself a bit more.”