JUBILANT Dan Evans sailed into the second round for the first time in four years… but not without a row with his Brit opponent.
The Brummie had to give himself a second-set talking too after a troublesome start but still saw off compatriot Jay Clarke 6-1 7-5 6-2 in straight sets.
Dan Evan celebrates beating Jay Clarke on Court 12[/caption]
Clarke vented to the chair umpire[/caption]
Evans, 35, smirked as Clarke complained[/caption]
His opponent had a few grumbles for the umpire over Evans taking too long between points – though he was the only person on Court 12 to really take issue.
Clarke, the British No6, hit out at the umpire saying: “You don’t notice anything.”
Evans should have the chance to put his 100 per cent record against seven-time champ Novak Djokovic on the line in the second round – with the Serb playing this evening.
The 35-year-old broke down in tears ahead of the Championships having been on a wild ride since last year’s Olympics in Paris, dropping down to the Challenger Tour and playing tournaments across three continents to build up some ranking points.
After being handed a wildcard entry to the Championships, a show court meeting with Djokovic would be quite the reward.
Evans said: “It was amazing.
“It has been tough but I played really well today and I got through the other side.
“I just wanted to win to get a shot at Novak.
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“I had so many friends here today to just enjoy today, whatever happened, happened.
“Today meant everything. That is one of the top, top wins in my career.
“I would love to be on Centre, that is all I ask. To get a chance to play Novak, it would be really nice to play Novak at the latter end of his career and I’d give it a good go.
“Because it is here it is really special to be here in England against the greatest of all time.”
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