Dan Evans in determined mood as he prepares for Daniil Medvedev test at US Open

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Dan Evans has a first Grand Slam quarter-final in his sights despite the considerable obstacle of second seed Daniil Medvedev standing in his way.

The British No 1 recovered from two sets down to beat Australian Alexei Popyrin in a deciding tie-break on Friday and will play in the fourth round of a slam for only the second time.

Evans had previously reached the third round at Flushing Meadows three times, holding a match point against eventual champion Stan Wawrinka in 2016, but had never made it further.

The 31-year-old arrived in New York low on confidence after a bout of coronavirus left him playing catch-up physically but he has shown why he is regarded as one of the grittiest competitors on tour and goes into Sunday’s clash eyeing an upset.

“I’ve got as good a chance as anyone to do some damage,” said Evans. “I think my game is in a good place. He’s a great, great player, unbelievable competitor, good mover. He’s been playing some unbelievable tennis this year.

“But if I go on the court and think I’ve got no chance and there’s no pressure on me – I think in the pressure situations, if they do arise, you’re not ready for that. You’ve got to go in believing you can win.”

Evans is set to hit a new career-high ranking inside the top 25 by virtue of his run in New York but Medvedev represents a big step up from the opponents the British No 1 has faced so far.

Dan Evans celebrates after beating Alexei Popyrin in a dramatic encounter
Dan Evans celebrates after beating Alexei Popyrin in a dramatic encounter (John Minchillo/AP)

The Russian reached his first Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows in 2019, pushing Rafael Nadal to five sets, and won his fourth Masters tournament in Toronto last month.

“I think his serve’s an amazing, amazing weapon,” said Evans. “His serve and his movement, two of the best things. I think his serve is underrated. He rolls through his service games very quickly. He obviously puts a lot of balls in court on the opponent’s serve. Those three things are probably his best.

“I don’t want to keep going on about how good he is. I think his ranking gives that away.”

Dan Evans Daniil Medvedev

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