Dan Evans and his camp can take plenty of positives going forward into the this year’s highly-anticipated French Open after some impressive performances through the spring.
The Birmingham star managed to reach the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters in April, and will now have his eyes set on ending the long wait for a British winner at Roland Garros.
A Positive Start to 2021
There were already signs Evans was finding form at the start of the year, as the 30-year-old managed to land his first ATP Tour title at the Murray River Open in February. Evans, who is 100/1 in the tennis betting to win the French Open this year, saw his stock rise with that success in Melbourne as he flew up to 26th spot in the world rankings.
Defeat to compatriot Cameron Norrie in the first round of the 2021 Australian Open will have been seen as a setback, but there has been major progress since then. Evans, who started out at West Warwickshire Sports Club in Solihull, pulled off a major scalp in Monte Carlo, as he secured his first-ever win over world number one Novak Djokovic. A straight-sets win over the Serbian great was some achievement, and that will give Evans the confidence he can mix it with the very best, especially on clay.
Defeat to eventual winner Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte-Carlo Masters semi-finals was nothing to be ashamed about. While Evans might have seen it as an opportunity missed, the Aston Villa supporter now has a foundation to build on as he looks ahead to Roland Garros.
Evans Seeing Progress on Clay
Another win over Jeremy Chardy at the Madrid Open was another sign Evans is making steps in the right direction ahead of the French Open and beyond. Evans has enjoyed three wins from three against the Frenchman this year, and felt he’s starting to get to grips with the clay surface. Known as the most physically demanding surface for players, the Englishman looks to be in great shape at present, and will be hoping his fitness can give him the edge in the French capital.
Speaking about the win over Chardy in Madrid, Evans claimed he was starting to find the balance between standing too far back and being aggressive. It’s a balance that is starting to reap rewards, and means there is plenty of excitement, especially back home in Birmingham, about what he might be able to achieve this year.
Consistency the Key to Ending Britain’s Wait
Evans in the past has shown he is capable of major scalps, with the win over Djokovic this year being further proof. Of course to win a Grand Slam, Evans needs to find that consistency over a couple of weeks. Coach Mark Hilton will be hoping he can bring out that consistency in his player, who has gone no further than a fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event before.
With a last British success at a French Open coming all the way back in 1976, Birmingham’s Evans has been showing the potential to end the wait for a triumph in Paris.
