Briton Dan Evans not prepared to simply make up number against seven-time Wimbledon champion as duo prepare for battle
Britain's world No91 Dan Evans is refusing to be content with sharing a court with seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer when the duo meet in the third round of the championships on Firday.
Evans, 25, booked a date with Federer, following in the footsteps of British qualifier Marcus Willis, after today’s 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 6-1 victory over Ukrainian 30th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov. The win also earned Evans a guaranteed £80,000 in prize money.
“It’s not a day out for me, it’s a chance,” said Evans, who had never won a match at Wimbledon prior to this year. “It’s a good opportunity. It’s not a Lord Mayor’s show. It’s a good chance. I’m taking it seriously.”
Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, meanwhile, brushed aside in-form Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, and will now face Australia’s John Millman for a place in the fourth round.
There was no such joy for British No1 Johanna Konta in the women’s draw as the Sydney-born 25-year-old was dispatched 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 by 2014 finalist Eugenie Bouchard.
Konta was far from the highest-profile casualty, however, as second seed and last year’s beaten finalist Garbine Muguruza crashed out following a 6-3, 6-2 capitulation against world No124 Jana Cepelova.