Dan Evans delivered an emotional and inspiring performance as he triumphed over world number 13 Tommy Paul in a hard-fought battle at Eastbourne, securing a place in the quarter-finals.
The 35-year-old Brit claimed a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory in the late afternoon sun, celebrating with arms outstretched and tears in his eyes as the home crowd roared with pride.
After what has been a tough season, Evans admitted he’s been craving a moment like this — a chance to prove he still has what it takes.
“I felt good serving for the match,” he said during his on-court interview. “I just told myself to enjoy it. I stopped worrying about what he was doing and focused on playing my game. The work’s been done. Once the confidence came, it all came together.”
The win builds on recent momentum for Evans, who also beat top-15 player Frances Tiafoe at Queen’s two weeks ago and got past Miomir Kecmanovic in his first round at Eastbourne.
Evans, now ranked 170 in the world, is making a quiet resurgence. He held his nerve against Paul, who had more winners on the stat sheet, but also far more unforced errors — a sign of how well Evans managed the pressure.
He’ll face American lucky loser Jenson Brooksby in the quarter-finals and hopes to bring even more sharpness to that match.