Evans, Norrie Battle Into Antwerp Second Round; De Minaur Plays Gasquet Later
Britons Daniel Evans and Cameron Norrie both completed hard-fought wins on Tuesday afternoon at the European Open in Antwerp.
Evans hit nine aces to work his way past Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes, including a solid serving performance in the decider for his 14th match win of the season. He will next challenge American Frances Tiafoe in the second round.
Norrie recovered from 0-3 down in the second set of a 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Finnish qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori in one hour and 37 minutes. The World No. 70 now challenges fifth-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic or Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia.
[WATCH LIVE 1]Elsewhere, Spain’s Pablo Andujar powered his way past lucky loser Federico Coria of Argentina 6-2, 6-3 in 82 minutes to set up a second-round meeting against fourth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Coria replaced Kei Nishikori, who withdrew on-site due to a right shoulder injury.
Eighth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur will take on Richard Gasquet of France during the evening session.