Heartbreak as Evans misses out

DAN EVANS’S tortuous bid to qualify for Wimbledon after being refused a wildcard ended in heartache with a 6-0, 6-3 defeat by Germany’s Matthias Bachinger yesterday. The 28-year-old was forced to go into pre-qualifying after not gaining a direct entry into the tournament following his suspension for cocaine use. He came through his first qualifying match at Roehampton but was well beaten by Bachinger. James Ward was the first home winner of the day, beating American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final round. Cameron Norrie progressed to the second round of the Nature Valley International at Eastbourne by beating Daniel Brands 7-5, 6-7, 6-2. He now faces fellow Brit Jay Clarke. Jo Konta comfortably beat Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic 6-1, 6-3 at Eastbourne but next up is world No 2 Caroline Wozniacki. Maria Sharapova’s preparations for Wimbledon hit a stumbling block as she lost an exhibition event to a hand-picked opponent. The Russian was brushed aside by Greece’s Maria Sakkari 7-5, 6-4 at the Aspall Tennis Classic.