Dan Evans caused a big upset to start off the ATP 500 tournament at the Queen’s Club, then said he hoped Andy Murray wasn’t watching. Evans stunned No. 7 seed Frances Tiafoe in his opening match on the centre court, which has been renamed the Andy Murray Arena this year.
The Brit, whose ranking has dropped to No. 199 in the world, received a main draw wildcard here and made the most of it, taking out the world No. 13. It’s his biggest win in two years and his first at the Queen’s Club since 2021.
On a blistering day in the British capital, it was Tiafoe who was getting hot under the collar as Evans ran him around the court, slicing and dicing the ball during their first-round meeting.
The world No. 199 was a huge underdog but made a statement, winning a bruising 37-shot rally and getting the odd lucky let cord as he sealed a 7-5 6-2 victory to open play on Andy Murray Arena for the day.
Evans’ ranking has dropped in the past 12 months as he was unable to defend his Washington title last summer, foregoing the tournament to team up with Murray at the Olympics for the three-time Grand Slam champion’s retirement.
Now aged 35 and spending more time competing on the lower-level Challenger circuit, Evans admitted that playing in front of the home fans during the British grass swing and beating players like Tiafoe was keeping him going.
“First and foremost, thank you to the crowd, they were amazing. It’s always amazing to play here, luckily I got the wildcard to get out here so it’s been nice to come back,” the former world No. 21 told the crowd.
“I didn’t know he was top 20 if I’m honest with you, I knew he’s very good but I was really just trying to focus on playing some good tennis because this year it’s been few and far between. Days like today, whatever happens this week, is why I’ve been carrying on to get out here and put my game on the court and enjoy it.
“I prepared really well, I’ve been preparing realy well, worked on what I really needed to focus on today. I have to thank all my team for that as well, it’s been a pretty long year, I’ve been playing lower tournaments.
“Let’s be honest, this is why I’m still hanging around to get back on the grass and get some wins. It feels good.”
Evans was also delighted to get a win on the newly-renamed Andy Murray Arena and was full of praise for his old doubles partner. But the wildcard joked that he didn’t want Murray to tune in and hear his kind words.
He added: “Not just mine, he’s massively on [my career] but the whole of British tennis. He’s always got time for everybody. I think it’s really fitting he got an arena named after him – but hopefully he’s not watching and hearing me say that!”
The 35-year-old is now through to the last 16 here to face either Brandon Nakashima or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Evans played Nakashima in the first round here last year and had to retire when he fell mid-match and injured himself.