US Open 2013: Day 4 - Evans battles past Tomic



Evans recovered superbly from a slow start to see off Tomic

US Open 2013: Day 4 - Evans battles past Tomic

It may not have warranted a news story on the US Open app but for me the unquestionable highlight of Day 4 at the 2013 US Open was a tremendous 1-6 6-3 7-6(7-4) 6-3 victory for British No.3 Dan Evans over Australia's Bernard Tomic.

Many players have struggled to back up the biggest win of their career, especially at the majors, and the Briton certainly had a slow start as Tomic broke twice to race through the opener and then broke to lead 2-1 in the second.  Evans, however, was not about to fade out of this year's Open.

The 23 year-old from Birmingham broke back to 2-2 with a putaway forehand volley and from there the whole contest was nip (no pun intended) and tuck. Evans broke to lead 4-2 and despite dropping his serve in the next game he broke the 20 year-old Australian again for 5-3.

Serving for the set Evans' serve on his first set point was ruled wide but was successfully challenged which I could not work out why it wasn't then given as an ace (unless perhaps it had nicked the net) but it wasn't and the Brit needed three more set points before a Tomic backhand return went just wide and it was all square at one set all.

In a tight third Evans held from 15-30 at 4-5 and the set went to a tie-break. A forehand winner gave the Brit an initial mini break which he handed straight back.  At 2-2 Evans successfully challenged a Tomic ace and got the mini break with a terrific backhand volley.

Back to back forehand winners took him to 5-2 and, after Tomic had saved one set point with a super forehand of his own, another winning forehand gave Evans the set and the lead.  Has any player other than Steffi Graf ever hit so many winning forehands in a tie-break?

Then the trainer came on to sort out Dan's nipples (ahh bless) and he promptly was broken in the first game of the fourth.  But back he came to break straight back and deny the Australian No.1 any comeback momentum.

Evans broke again for 3-1 with more superb play and he did not relinquish the lead as his serving became rock solid. 

Serving to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time the current World No.179 (he'll soon be rising into the top 150 at least) raced to 40-love and three match points with the help of two aces.  Although he double faulted on the first a final service winner sealed a wonderful victory for Evans and a third round meeting - as we'd find out later - with 19th seed Tommy Robredo.

   

Evans disposed of Tomic in a topsy turvy encounter on Court 17
Men's singles round-up

Legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both swept through to round three with ease as they each look to regain the US Open title.  Nadal crushed Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-2 6-1 6-0 under the lights on Ashe while earlier in the day Federer rolled past Carlos Berlocq 6-3 6-2 6-1.

Fourth seed David Ferrer dropped a set to compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut but won the other three comfortably enough while US No.1 John Isner remained on course for a blockbuster last 16 clash with Nadal as he saw off Gael Monfils in a tight four setter at night.

There were also victories for 8th seed Richard Gasquet and my friend Ceridwen's idol Mr Milos Raonic. The only upset saw a four set defeat for Sam Querrey at the hand's of Adrian Mannarino on Grandstand - the Frenchman's reward is a third round meeting with Federer.

James Blake officially retired from pro tennis after falling with Jack Sock in the Men's doubles but not before taking a set from the second seeded Bruno Soares and Alexander Peya. 

Women's singles round-up

Defending champion Serena Williams experienced some tough moments early on against Galina Voskoboeva before pulling away to win 6-3 6-0.  She may have a tough battle with Yaroslava Shvedova tonight.

Victoria Azarenka continued her challenge with a 6-3 6-1 defeat of Aleksandra Wozniack but saw the Canadian fight back from 0-5 in the first.

Also moving through to round three were seeds Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, Jelena Jankovic, Roberta Vinci, Ana Ivanovic and Sabine Lisicki.

I was pleased to see some super form from three-time Flushing Meadows quarter finalist Flavia Pennetta as she swept past compatriot and 4th seed Sara Errani 6-3 6-1.  Errani became the highest seeded casualty of the championships.

With the doubles getting underway the Williams sisters were made to fight very hard before coming through 6-7(5-7) 6-0 6-3 against Spaniards Carla Suarez Navarro and Silvia Soler-Espinosa.

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