EASTBOURNE — Britain's Dan Evans continued his strong grass-court form with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Sebastian Korda at the Eastbourne International, marking his second top-50 win in as many weeks. The 34-year-old, who recently defeated world No. 42 Francisco Cerundolo at Queen's Club, showcased his trademark variety and tactical nous to advance to the quarterfinals.
Evans, currently ranked 58th, described his performance as "the most confident I've been on grass for a long time," but cautioned that his game remains a work in progress ahead of Wimbledon. The victory extended his record against Korda to 3-0, with all wins coming on grass courts.
Grass-Court Resurgence
After struggling with form and injuries earlier in 2024, Evans has found his rhythm on the surface that best suits his game. His recent results suggest a return to the level that saw him reach a career-high ranking of 21 in 2023. Key improvements in his game include:
- More aggressive first-serve percentages (68% against Korda)
- Improved net play (won 12/15 approaches)
- Better depth on groundstrokes
"The serve has been a big focus," Evans told reporters. "When I'm getting free points and starting points on my terms, the rest of my game flows much better. The slice is biting more this year, and I'm moving better than I was in the clay season."
Tactical Mastery Against Korda
The match showcased Evans' ability to disrupt big hitters with his varied game. He broke Korda's serve three times and saved all four break points he faced. Evans particularly targeted the American's backhand, drawing 15 unforced errors from that wing.
Key Match Statistics
The numbers revealed Evans' control of the match:
- First serve points won: 79% (Evans) vs 62% (Korda)
- Break points converted: 3/5 (Evans) vs 0/4 (Korda)
- Net points won: 80% (Evans) vs 58% (Korda)
"I knew I had to keep Seb moving and not let him set up," Evans analyzed. "He's got such easy power when he gets time, so the plan was to mix up the spins, bring him forward, and make him uncomfortable."
Wimbledon Preparations
With Wimbledon starting on July 1, Evans sees Eastbourne as crucial preparation. He reached the fourth round at SW19 in 2021 and 2023, but faces a race against time to be seeded this year. The Birmingham native needs to reach at least the semifinals this week to have a chance.
"It would be nice to be seeded, but it's not the be-all and end-all," Evans said. "I've had good results there unseeded before. The main thing is building confidence in my game and staying healthy."
Next Challenge
Evans will face either fourth seed Taylor Fritz or Australian qualifier Aleksandar Vukic in the quarterfinals. A potential semifinal against top seed Tommy Paul could follow, offering another chance to test his game against elite opposition.
British tennis legend Tim Henman, commentating for the BBC, praised Evans' development: "Dan's understanding of how to play on grass is as good as anyone's. When he's serving well and moving like this, he's a nightmare matchup for the big hitters."
Conclusion
While Evans remains cautious about his Wimbledon prospects, his Eastbourne performance suggests he's peaking at the right time. With his all-court game and improved serve, the British No. 2 could be poised for another deep run at SW19 if he maintains this form.
"There's still work to do," Evans reiterated. "The wins are nice, but I'm focused on the processes - serving well, returning aggressively, and trusting my game. If I do that, the results will come."