Evans causes upset but Norrie knocked out at Queen's

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Great Britain's Dan Evans claimed one of the biggest wins of his career when he upset world number 13 Frances Tiafoe to progress to the last 16 at Queen's but compatriot Cameron Norrie was knocked out on the opening day.

Evans won 7-5 6-2 for his first victory against a top-20 player since he defeated world number 12 Alex de Minaur at the 2023 Davis Cup.

It was only a second career win over a top-20 opponent on grass for Evans following his victory over 16th-ranked Nikoloz Basilashvili at Wimbledon six years ago.

But Norrie's hopes of replicating his run to the final at Queen's in 2021 were ended by 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, who won 7-6 (8-6) 1-6 6-1 in the baking heat in west London.

The win means Mensik becomes just the second teenager to win a main draw match at Queen's in the last decade, after British number one Jack Draper in 2021.

Evans will next play either American Brandon Nakashima or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France, while Mensik will face Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the quarter-finals.

Evans is looking to rebuild his ranking, having dropped from a career-high 21st in the world a couple of years ago to 199th.

Given a wildcard entry at Queen's, the 35-year-old was handed a tough start against American Tiafoe, who reached the quarter-finals of the French Open this year.

But Tiafoe has often struggled on grass and Evans took full advantage, playing some of his best tennis in years to claim an impressive straight-set win.

Evans dropped more than 110 ranking spots last year when he opted to focus on partnering Andy Murray in the doubles at the Paris Olympics, so it was apt that this impressive display came at the arena newly named after the Scot.

The pair reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, with the match the last of Murray's long and illustrious career.

Asked afterwards about how much Murray has inspired his own 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.

"The Olympics was one of the best things I've done. It is something that will stick with me forever and I am immensely proud to have played with him [Murray]."

Evans started strongly against Tiafoe, fending off a break point before securing the break himself at 3-3.

Tiafoe broke back immediately when Evans overcooked his forehand and momentum appeared to swing the American's way in a 10-minute spell where his opponent had little answer to him.

But Evans, encouraged by the vocal home crowd, dug in and battled from 5-4 down to secure a second break before closing out the set - helped on his way by coming out on top of a gruelling 37-shot rally.

The momentum was now with Evans and a five-game winning streak put him 2-0 up at the start of the second set.

Evans got a stroke of luck at 3-1 up when his forehand clipped the net cord to drop over and secure a double break.

From then on he closed out the match before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

"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," Evans added.

"I'm delighted with the win. It was probably one of my best performances I've ever played. I didn't have to think too much, which has been a bit of a problem lately."

Norrie had looked on course to take a closely fought opener but let slip two set points in the tie-break as the big-serving Mensik swiftly roared back to take control.

But a dominant second-set display by Norrie suggested the momentum was with him as he raced through it to level, with Mensik looking increasingly tired and frustrated as a number of his shots failed to get over the net.

That theme continued into the start of the decisive third set as Norrie had two break points but Mensik dug deep to save them both and secure the hold.

That was to prove pivotal as Mensik now had the momentum and a double fault on the Norrie serve helped the Czech player secure the break.

Norrie needed to get on the board on his serve in the fourth game but he let slip advantage as Mensik secured the double break, and there was no way back for the former British number one after that.

Mensik cemented the win with an ace - his 19th of the match - and Norrie admitted his serve was something he had struggled to handle.

"He served unbelievably well," said Norrie, who switches focus to doubles before competing at Eastbourne next week.

"Credit to him. I felt I was the better player in the first set and continued in the second. I felt like he dropped but I didn't serve well in the third and he ran away with it."

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