Qualifier Dan Evans from Great Britain has beaten the eleventh seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open.
It was Evans’ first win in the main draw of a Major outside of Wimbledon. Incidentally, Evans was denied a wildcard at his home championships this year, a move that may have spurred him on to a win that ranks as his very best.
Evans’ relentless attack on Nishikori’s vulnerable serve finally broke Nishikori down at 4-5, 15-40 in the first set, a deep return on a weak second serve forcing an error and winning Evans the set.
In the second set, with Nishikori serving at 4-5 30-40, the Japanese hit a backhand volley into the net to gift the a two set lead to Evans.
Evans broke early in the third and never looked back, moving forward whenever the chance came his way. The qualifier, ranked 179, hit 16 winners at the net out of 24 approaches over the course of the match.
A poor serving day for the Japanese, (Nishikori made only 54% of his first serves and won 15 of 40 points on his second serve), culminated in him serving his eighth double fault when match point down.
Evans will next face Tomic in the second round. The 52nd ranked Australian came back from two sets to one down to beat Albert Ramos.
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