Dan Evans exits the Doha Open with mixed emotions after praising rival Roger Federer but being left frustrated by his narrow loss.
The Brit fell 7-6(8), 3-6, 7-5, to the Swiss maestro in an encounter that lasted almost two-and-a-half hours. Evans was the first player Federer has faced in more than a year after being sidelined from the sport due to a right knee injury which required two surgical procedures. He is making his comeback to the tour five months before his 40th birthday in what his rival labels as a boost to the Tour.
“Whenever he’s at a tournament it goes without saying there is more interest in the tournament. I guess personally for him, he is obviously way happier to be on Tour than at home,” Evans told reporters after his match.
Heading into the second round clash, ironically Evans was one of the most well educated people concerning the current form of the world No.6 after being his hitting partner over the past two weeks. Furthermore, they have played each other three times previously on the Tour with Federer winning all of them in straight sets.
Despite the encouraging display from the 20-time Grand Slam champion, Evans says there are areas which still need some work on. An inevitable scenario for any player who has been away for such a long period. As for the match itself, he believes Federer’s aggressiveness was the thing that got him over the finish line.
“I could feel certain parts were not quite there but it was evident when it got tight that he was way more aggressive in the third set,” he said. “I actually thought he played his best tennis in the last three, four games. Got himself out of trouble and then when I was 5-4 down, he really came at me. I felt a lot of pressure from his game.’
“He showed a lot of glimpses of why he is so good.” Evans added.
It is far too early to look into the significance of Federer’s winning start to his latest comeback and what could happen over the coming months. He has already stated that the goal is to peak in time for Wimbledon where he will be gunning for an historic ninth title. Then there is also the Olympic Games in Tokyo on his mind too.
“He said his story is not finished yet and from a fan’s point of view, it is going to be interesting to see how he goes at his age,” Evans commented.
“He’s 39 and it’s unheard that there is someone competing for Grand Slams at that age (in the men’s game). It’s going to be really good to watch for everybody to see what happens.
“We will all be pretty pumped if he got over the line at another slam.”
Federer will play Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
