Juan Martin del Potro’s comeback run over, Dan Evans into Delray Beach semis

Dan Evans thumbs up

Juan Martin del Potro’s comeback at the Delray Beach Open was ended by Mackenzie McDonald on Friday while Dan Evans claimed another big scalp.

Playing in his first tournament since injuring his knee at the Shanghai Masters in October, Del Potro lost the tight encounter 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).

A break of serve was enough to earn McDonald the opening set and it went to a third set as Del Potro returned the favour in the second set. After no breaks in the decider, the American took the tie-breaker.

Next up for McDonald is Moldova’s Radu Albot, who beat fourth-seeded American Steve Johnson 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).

Meanwhile, British qualifier Evans continued his remarkable run as he stunned sixth seed Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4.

Evans, who also beat defending champion Frances Tiafoe in the first round, is into his first semi-final since the Sydney International in 2017.

“I played pretty well today, clean match,” he said. “My game style matched up pretty well to him (Seppi). It’s happened quicker than I thought.”

He will face the big-serving American John Isner for a place in the final after the second seed beat Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.


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