British Veteran Stuns World No. 13 in First-Round Triumph
Dan Evans delivered his most significant victory in over two years on Monday, defeating seventh-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 6-2 in the opening round of the Queen’s Club Championships. The 35-year-old Brit, now ranked 199th in the world, produced a masterclass on grass to topple the world No. 13 in just 95 minutes.
This marked Evans’ first win against a top-20 opponent since his 2023 Davis Cup victory over Alex de Minaur, offering a glimmer of resurgence for the former world No. 21. Playing on a wildcard entry, Evans showcased the crafty grass-court game that once made him a consistent top-100 fixture, dismantling Tiafoe with precise slice backhands and clutch serving.
“I didn’t even know he was top 20,” Evans admitted afterward. “I was just trying to play good tennis because those days have been rare this year. Matches like this are why I keep going.”
Ranking Slide and Grass-Court Redemption
Evans’ ranking had plummeted to No. 215 last month—his lowest since 2018—after a grueling ten months primarily spent on the ATP Challenger circuit. With just one quarterfinal appearance in that span and losses to players outside the top 350, questions mounted about his future.
But on Queen’s Club’s hallowed lawns, the Birmingham native looked reborn. “It’s been a long year playing smaller tournaments,” Evans said. “This is why I’ve hung around—to get back on grass and find some wins.” His performance earned a potential Wimbledon wildcard lifeline, with the Championships just two weeks away.
British Contingent Mixed Fortunes
While Evans shone, compatriots experienced contrasting fates. Jacob Fearnley advanced comfortably with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Alex Bolt, but Cameron Norrie fell 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-1 to Czech teen Jakub Mensik. “He won all the crucial points,” Norrie conceded after the eighth seed’s serving barrage.
Evans next faces either Brandon Nakashima or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, aiming to prove this wasn’t just a nostalgic flashback—but the start of a meaningful career revival.