Tears & cheers for dynamo Dan
DAN evANS, despite his apparent Jack the Lad image, burst into tears following his second-round win against world No 16 Nikoloz Basilashvili. ‘A lot of my friends were here, people who have helped me so much,’ said evans (below), after securing his best win since a drugs ban.
The answer to why Dan evans, despite his apparent Jack the Lad image, burst into tears following his second-round win at Wimbledon yesterday can be found in 2017.
Two years ago, he spent this fortnight sitting on a sofa and picking over the bones of a broken career, having been banned from his sport for taking cocaine.
even last year, after not receiving a main-draw wildcard and failing to qualify at roehampton, he watched from afar as others used their talents while his went to waste.
not this time. Yesterday evans defeated world no 16 nikoloz Basilashvili, ensuring Britain would have a male representative in the third round this year.
now ranked 61 in the world, he won 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 26 minutes, securing his best win since that drugs ban and setting up a showdown with Joao sousa.
upon winning, evans was overcome with emotion. he put his head in his hands and stared at the team who have supported him during his lowest moments.
‘A lot of my friends were here, people who have helped me so much,’ said evans, who is coached by David Felgate and has now equalled his best sW19 performance. ‘it got the better of me.
‘There’s plenty more tennis to be played in this tournament, so i won’t be resting on that win.
‘i believe i can do better now than before. i was just playing tennis. i probably didn’t know the magnitude of winning matches in Grand slams.
‘it’s a big deal to be winning matches in the best tournaments in the world, especially here at Wimbledon, at your home slam, with so much tradition at the tournament.
‘i want to go as far as i can here. For me, it’s the best Grand slam, so i can’t wait to play again. i hope the best is yet to come. i’m working as hard as i can to be better.
‘You never know what’s around the corner. hopefully the best is coming on saturday.’
sousa beat 2017 finalist and bighitter Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 12 minutes yesterday. That is a victory which could work in evans’ favour because of the Brit’s tendency to use his slice.
The 29-year-old also defended superbly against Basilashvili, a Georgian who smacks the ball as if he is angry with it. he could not power through evans, however.
not for the first time in his career and in all likelihood not the last, evans was reported for using bad language on court. ‘Probably,’ he added, smiling when asked afterwards if he’d sworn.
The last time evans reached the third round here was in 2016, when he faced roger Federer on Centre Court. That resulted in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 loss. now he hopes for much better.