Rothesay Open Nottingham 2024: Dan Evans beats junior Wimbledon champion to lead Brits into the quarter-finals
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In tennis, experience is often hat gets you through in those big moments – and so it proved for British No.3 Dan Evans who earlier today beat 18-year-old Wimbledon boys’ champion Henry Searle 7-6(4), 7-6(5) at the Rothesay Open Nottingham.
The two-time champion progresses to the quarter-finals at the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre for a fifth time in his career.
“It was a good match,” Evans said. “It was very tight. His game is very good for a grass court and it was a tough match for me with a single-handed backhand.
“I was fully ready for it and I had to be fired up to get over the line. It was an enjoyable match, I’m just happy to get through to be honest.”
Searle – who has been part of the LTA National Academy in Loughborough – made an impressive account of himself on Centre Court.
His big lefty serve has already translated well into the pro game, especially on grass, and it caused Evans problems throughout the match.
In the end, it was Evans’s ability to handle the pressure moments in both tie-breaks that tipped the balance in his favour. The Citi Open champion showed great character to keep his level and dictate the big points, where perhaps Searle started to tighten up. As the clock passed the two hour mark, Evans let out a roar in celebration as he sealed back-to-back wins for the second time this season.
After the match, Evans was full of admiration for the young Brit from Wolverhampton.
“He’s obviously very good, he’s going to be a hell of a player,” he said. “It wasn’t the draw I wanted to see when I saw his name next to mine. Credit to him, he played great and I did as well.
“He’s got a big serve, solid backhand and the forehand does the damage and for me personally I think he can come in a bit more and put the pressure on.
In the next round Evans will now face another British qualifier in Charles Broom, who defeated eighth seed and last week’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy champion Lloyd Harris 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-4.
Evans and Broom are two of three Brits in the quarter-finals already, with Cam Norrie, Jack Pinnington Jones and Billy Harris all to play tomorrow.
The 34-year-old commented that the strength in British performances are why these tournaments can be so important for players coming through.
“This is what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s about the British players. This is why the tournament is on. This is where the younger guys can come through and make their mark and that’s what they are doing which is great.
“The more of these tournaments that are on the more you guys can come and watch and everyone wins out of it.
“Everyone here today will leave knowing Henry Searle if you didn’t before, Paul Jubb, Jacob Fearnley, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Elsewhere in the men’s draw on Centre Court, Jacob Fearnley put on an impressive display to beat 24-year-old Paul Jubb 6-1, 6-7(14), 6-3.
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