Dan Evans ends Kyle Edmund’s comeback run, but admits ‘I’m just really happy to see him back’

ATP Tour
Dan Evans interview

Dan Evans had no problem seeing off Kyle Edmund in the second round of Citi Open, but the former was delighted to see Edmund back in action after a lengthy period on the sidelines due to injury.

After spending two years out injured following three knee operations, former British No 1 Edmund made an encouraging comeback on Monday as he claimed a two-set win over Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki.

However, the former Australian Open semi-finalist was unable to back that up on Tuesday as world No 40 Evans won the lopsided encounter 6-1, 6-2 in just over 60 minutes on the hard courts at Rock Creek Park in Washington DC.

It was an error-strewn performance from Edmunds, but it was to be expected for someone who has been out for so long. The 27-year-old made 17 unforced errors compared to three from Evans while he hit 12 winners and his compatriot 13.

Evans broke in the opening game of the match and in games five and seven to ease to a one-set lead. And it was a similar story in the second set with breaks in games four, six and eight, although Edmund did have some joy as he broke in game seven.

British No 2 Evans, though, is happy to see Edmund back on court following his injury nightmare the past 24 months.

“It’s just nice to see him back,” he said during his on-court interview after the match. “He’s nowhere near where he probably wants to be. He’s a great player and I’m just really happy to see him back.

“He works super hard, he puts it out there day after day and he’s had a frustrating two years.”

Evans will face either third-seeded American Taylor Fritz or Alexei Popyrin from Australia for a place in the quarter-final.

Edmund, meanwhile, will next compete in an ATP Challenger Tour event before entering the Winston-Salem Open and the US Open by using his protected ranking.

“Just to come away at the end of the US Open and have a positive feeling that I didn’t have many bad days physically,” Edmund said after his first-round win.

“I can play bad tennis, I can deal with that because it’s been a long time and I don’t expect to play my best.

“But physically it would be nice to come away with a positive outlook saying I played five tournaments, was on the road for eight weeks, the knee was tested a lot because of the level of tennis and the physicality and if it responds well, I’ll be happy with that.

“Naturally, yeah I want some results thrown in there, but just being back on the Tour week in, week out, is more the priority.”

Dan Evans Kyle Edmund

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