Evans edged in semi

DAN Evans’ impressive run at the National Bank Open has been halted by Pablo Carreno Busta, who defeated the Briton in three sets in the semi-finals in Montreal.

The Cheltenham-based world number 39 became the first player at the tournament to take a set off the Spaniard, racing out to a 3-0 lead in the second set which he won after having to save match point.

The British number two was outlasted 7-5 6-7 6-2 across two hours and 58 minutes by Carreno Busta.

The 23rd-ranked Carreno Busta relied on his first serve to dominate his opponent, recording 43 winners and breaking on five of his eight chances.

Evans’ strong recent showings should see him surge up the rankings to the edge of the top 20, with those ranked 32 and higher seeded for the upcoming US Open.

The 32-year-old will next play Filip Krajinovic in the first round of the Western and Southern Open, the final warm-up tournament before Flushing Meadows.

He has also been named in Great Britain’s Davis Cup squad alongside Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie and world doubles number one Joe Salisbury for matches against the United States, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.