No six pack, but Dan Evans gets Australian Open job done as he comes back from the dead

Australian Open
Dan Evans happy

Dan Evans produced a comeback of note at the Australian Open as he came from two sets down for the first time his career to beat Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round.

Playing in his first Grand Slam as a seeded player, Evans got off to a terrible start as he found himself 5-1 down in the opening set and, although he briefly fought back, it wasn’t too long before McDonald had raced into a 6-3, 6-4 lead.

The British No 1 was really up against it as he had lost all his previous matches after losing the opening two sets and had never won a five-setter at a Grand Slam.

However, the 30th seed made a stunning comeback to defeat the American 3-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in three hours and 21 minutes.

The turning point in the deciding set came in game five as Evans broke McDonald’s serve and after holding serve, strengthened his grip on the match with another break.

Although the world No 129 got one break back, the Brit wrapped it up with third straight break.

Evans, who will face Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round, celebrated his win by rubbing his stomach in reference to ATP Cup captain’s recent comments about him.

Henman revealed that he told Evans that he could do with “missing a few meals”.

However, the 29-year-old admitted before the match that he didn’t take offence, saying: “Listen obviously I can’t help how I look. Geez, I think I am in good shape and it is just aesthetically, I guess that is how I am. I don’t have a six pack, I know that.”

He added: It’s difficult to be a rake like him, not a muscle on him. I think personally I’m in decent shape. Tim finds it pretty hard to give a compliment, I tell you that.

“I knew this was coming. I actually thanked Tim to say at least I had a heads up what was coming.”

The extra weight certainly didn’t hold him back on Monday.

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