Dan Evans upsets seventh seed Frances Tiafoe on Andy Murray Arena at Queen's Club Championship - 'Why I carry on playing'
Updated 16/06/2025 at 18:29 GMT+1
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Dan Evans has fallen to No. 199 in the ATP Tour rankings, but he served up a reminder of his talent with a straight-sets victory over seventh seed Frances Tiafoe at Queen's. Evans, 35, said afterwards that "this is why I’m hanging around to try and get some wins on the grass". He next faces either Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Brandon Nakashima at the ATP 500 event.
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Video credit: SNTV
Dan Evans said "days like this are why I've been carrying on playing" after scoring an upset win over seventh seed Frances Tiafoe at Queen’s.
Evans, 35, secured his first top-20 victory since September 2023 - and first win at Queen’s since 2021 - as he triumphed 7-5 6-2 against world No. 13 Tiafoe.
Evans has slipped to No. 199 in the world and has largely been playing on the second-tier ATP Challenger Tour this season.
But he showed his talent and grass-court prowess to get the better of Tiafoe.
"It’s always amazing to play here. I was lucky I got the wildcard," he told BBC Two after beating Tiafoe.
"I didn’t know he was top 20 – but I knew he was very good. I’m happy to play some good tennis because it has been few and far between.
"Days like this are why I’ve been carrying on playing. I’ve been preparing really well and focusing on what I needed to today.
"It has been a long year so far. I’ve been playing the lower tournaments, but this is why I’m hanging around, to try and get some wins on the grass."
Evans will face either Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Brandon Nakashima in the second round at Queen’s.
The former British No. 1 took a tight first set against Tiafoe by breaking for a 6-5 lead and then holding serve in the next game.
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He then surged 5-1 clear in the second set before wrapping up the win with his second match point.
Asked about playing on the newly-named Andy Murray Arena and how much the former world No. 1 has inspired his career, Evans said: "Not just mine but the whole of British tennis.
"He always has time for everyone and it's fitting he has an arena called after him - hopefully he's not watching and hearing me say that!"
Fellow Brit Cameron Norrie was also in action at Queen’s, but bowed out in the first round with a 6-7 6-1 1-6 defeat to Jakub Mensik.
Top two seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper are set to play their first matches on Tuesday, June 17.
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