Dan Evans' brilliant third-round effort at US Open is spoiled by injuries as he drops final two sets to Alex de Minaur, 6-0 6-0
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Dan Evans’ US Open adventure is over as a hip injury ruined what was shaping up to be a classic third round against Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
Early in the third set with the scores level, Evans began to appear in some discomfort and at 3-0 down received medical attention to his right hip. The 34-year-old was also seen taking a pill before the match but he revealed that was to cope with some sickness.
‘I knew I was in for a long evening. To beat Alex you have to be physically in good shape. I felt fine but my hip just seized up and became very problematic at the start of the third set.
‘It was stiff going into the match. It was a tough day, I was a bit sick as well before the match and then, obviously my hip, not a lot went right and that's Grand Slam tennis, isn't it? You have to recover. But he was the better player. It's not always about tennis, your body has to be prepared and kudos to him. He played a great match.’
When Evans came back from 4-0 and 40-15 down in the fifth set to beat Karen Khachanov in his first-round match, it always felt as though that five hour, 35 minute match – the longest in US Open history – would be a Pyrrhic victory and so it eventually proved.
Daniel Evans of Great Britain reacts after losing to Alex de Minaur of Australia
Alex de Minaur will face fellow Australian Jordan Thompson on Monday for a quarterfinal berth
‘It's all connected to the first day,’ he said. ‘My groin and my hip’s been sore ever since. It will be fine after a few days’ rest. A few beers will help it as well.’
Evans has not an ounce of quit in him and he refused to retire hurt, instead wincing and hobbling through the final two sets to lose 6-4, 6-7, 6-0, 6-0. Evans won only three points in the final set and was booed by a few buffoons in the crowd – perhaps they were out buying overpriced cocktails and missed the medical timeout.
Asked whether he ever considered pulling out, Evans replied: ‘No. It was pretty bemusing that they started to boo me when the irony was, I was staying out there for them, and of course, I respect Alex.
‘I don't think you should be pulling out of a Grand Slam. You finish the match. That's just my way and that's how I was brought up: you stay till the end and you shake hands. And he actually said, “Thanks for staying out there, respect”.’
What a pity this thrilling run ended thus, and what a shame for the night session crowd on Louis Armstrong, for the first two sets of this match were terrific.
Neither player has the power to hit through the other and so they must rely on more subtle skills to get the job done.
This was a throwback to the days when this event was played on grass with wooden rackets, points played with
De Minaur said before this contest he was still only ’80-85 per cent’ fit after a hip injury at Wimbledon, and that he was in the uncomfortable position of having to choose which balls to attempt to run down in order to protect his body.
There was precious little evidence of that hesitancy against Evans as De Minaur flew across the court.
Daniel Evans is treated by Director of Medical Services Alejandro Resnicoff between games
Alex de Minaur from Australia acknowledges the crowd after his win over Daniel Evans
When Evans won a second-set tiebreak the match looked beautifully poised but then the signs of pain began to be written over his every wince and grimace, and the match as a contest was over.
Despite a horrible ending this has been an important week for Evans. He came in without a tour win since March and his decision to play the Olympics with Andy Murray meant he had no chance to defend the points he earned winning the Washington title last year.
That meant he was dumped out of the top 150 in the world and had he lost that nailbiter against Khachanov he would have slipped to around 225.
His two wins here should give him a foothold but he is not going to overly chase ranking points, instead focussing on the Davis Cup, with a group round robin in Manchester starting on September 11 when Great Britain will attempt to qualify for the finals.
‘It's been such a long year since, since I won Washington, and with the injury after that. It’s been a disaster, really and I want to take proper rest at some point. It's important to not just for me, for (girlfriend) Aleah, for my team. I'm pretty positive but it takes a toll on other people as well when you're not winning. It's been pretty stressful for a lot of other people, as well as myself.
‘I'm not too fussed if I'm in qualities of Australia, I'll give it a good go. I'll play some Challengers but my priorities to get through in Davis Cup, and then hopefully we're in the finals and that'll be my priority.
‘This week's brought a lot of good things. It’s not that I fell out of love with tennis, but it's just given me a glimpse: I'm still pretty good, and that's a nice feeling.
‘I came to America with no expectations and a lot of doubt, and I left with a lot of clarity that I can still do it at the higher level. Not quite the top level, but the higher level.’
