Roy Keane helps Evans go through

FOR Dan Evans the perfect way to relax during a three-hour suspension due to extreme heat was to watch a lengthy feature interview with Roy Keane.

It clearly did the trick because, having cooled down from the sweltering temperatures that saw players pulled from the courts for their own safety, he went marching into the second round of the Australian Open. Evans went into the break leading Facundo Bagnis of Argentina two sets to one, and came back out to complete a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. It was a highly creditable performance — all the more so because he hates wearing any protective headwear. ‘I’m pretty good in the heat, it doesn’t bother me,’ he said. ‘I have just never worn a hat and I have never liked wearing one. I actually watched Roy Keane on that Tommy Tiernan Show from Ireland. I’m always looking on YouTube and stuff. I had wanted to watch it.’ Evans now faces Jeremy Chardy, the Frenchman who thought his career had been ended by taking the Covid vaccination. Chardy suffered an adverse reaction to the jab, so much so that he was unable to train for more than six months. He has also had knee problems, so this is his first tournament at the highest level since the 2021 US Open.

Chardy was delighted to have got past the Colombian Daniel Galan in four sets. ‘I’m just happy to play tennis again, it was one year that was really difficult for me,’ he said. ‘I didn’t know if I would be able to come back on court, so just to be in Melbourne — I cannot ask more than that.’