LONDON — Great Britain's Dan Evans produced one of the biggest wins of his career, stunning world No. 13 Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to advance to the last 16 at the Queen's Club Championships. However, compatriot Cameron Norrie suffered an early exit, falling to Milos Raonic in a tightly contested match.
Evans Shocks Tiafoe in Straight Sets
Evans, ranked 56th in the world, delivered a masterclass performance against the American star, winning 6-2, 7-5 in just over 90 minutes. The British No. 2 dominated from the baseline, mixing up his game with deft drop shots and precise volleys to keep Tiafoe off balance. "I knew I had to be aggressive and take my chances," Evans said post-match.
Key moments in the match included:
- A break in the opening game, setting the tone for Evans' dominance.
- A crucial hold at 4-2 in the second set, saving two break points.
- A stunning backhand pass to seal the victory on his first match point.
Tactical Brilliance from Evans
Evans' ability to vary his play proved decisive. He won 75% of points at the net and converted three of his five break-point opportunities. "Dan played incredibly smart tennis today," Tiafoe admitted. "He didn't let me settle into any rhythm."
Norrie Falls to Raonic's Power Serving
Meanwhile, British No. 1 Cameron Norrie was unable to overcome the formidable serve of former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, losing 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(9) in a thrilling encounter that lasted over two hours. Raonic fired 25 aces past Norrie, including three in the decisive tiebreak.
"It's frustrating because I had chances in both tiebreaks," Norrie said. "Milos served unbelievable when he needed to."
Key Statistics
- Raonic won 89% of first-serve points (47/53)
- Norrie converted just 1 of 3 break point opportunities
- The match featured just two breaks of serve total
Other Notable Results
In other action at the Wimbledon warm-up event:
- Top seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4
- Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov survived a scare against Adrian Mannarino, winning 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4
- Local favorite Jack Draper retired hurt against Tommy Paul while trailing 6-3, 3-0
What's Next for Evans?
Evans will face fifth seed Tommy Paul in the next round, looking to reach his first ATP 500 quarterfinal since Vienna last October. "This is exactly the kind of win I needed," Evans said. "Now I want to back it up."
The Birmingham native has struggled for form in 2024, coming into Queen's with just an 8-13 record for the season. However, his grass-court pedigree - including a semifinal run here in 2021 - makes him dangerous on this surface.
Conclusion: British Hopes Rest on Evans
With Norrie's exit and Draper's injury, Evans now carries British hopes at the prestigious pre-Wimbledon event. His victory over Tiafoe marks just his second top-20 win on grass and suggests he may be peaking at the perfect time ahead of SW19.
"This is why we play - for these big wins on home soil," Evans reflected. "The crowd really helped me today and I'll need that same energy against Paul."
The tournament continues tomorrow with second seed Alex de Minaur headlining the schedule against Lorenzo Musetti, while Evans' clash with Paul is scheduled as the third match on Centre Court.