Evans Saves M.P. To Eliminate Khachanov In Antwerp
Daniel Evans produced an impressive comeback to earn his spot in the European Open semi-finals on Friday. The British No. 1 saved match point to beat third seed Karen Khachanov 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 in Antwerp.
Evans served with power and precision in the second-set tie-break to escape danger at 5/6 and force a third set, before capitalising on a series of errors to establish an early lead in the decider. Evans dropped just two points behind his first serve in the final set (14/16) and moved up the court well to finish the match in two hours and 40 minutes.
Evans improves to 2-0 in his ATP Head2Head series against Khachanov. Earlier this year, the 30-year-old claimed another three-set comeback win against the Russian at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
[WATCH LIVE 1]The Brit has performed well against the biggest stars on the ATP Tour this year, compiling a 7-6 record against Top 20 opposition in 2020. Alongside two wins against Khachanov, Evans has also claimed two victories against Andrey Rublev and beaten David Goffin, Fabio Fognini and Alex de Minaur.
“It is nice to play these guys and it is why you play the sport, to play the better players” said Evans. “I am pretty clear on how I have to play to beat them and that is what I do. I try and execute that plan and I have done that pretty good against the better guys.”
Evans will face Ugo Humbert for a spot in the championship match. The Frenchman advanced to his third semi-final of the season with a 6-3, 7-6(2) win against Lloyd Harris of South Africa. Humbert, who captured his maiden ATP Tour trophy at the ASB Classic in January, won 83 per cent of first-serve points (29/35) to advance in one hour and 35 minutes.
Alex de Minaur converted four of five break points to beat Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-0 in 58 minutes. The 21-year-old, who came within two points of defeat in his opening match against Richard Gasquet, will face Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final. The Bulgarian moved through to the semi-finals when Milos Raonic withdrew from the tournament with an abdominal strain.
Did You Know?
Evans is attempting to become the third consecutive British player to win the European Open. Kyle Edmund earned his first ATP Tour crown at the ATP 250 in 2018 and Andy Murray lifted his 46th tour-level title at the event last year.