Kevin Mitchell’s match report from Melbourne Park:
And with that, I’ll take my leave. Federer was simply too good for Evans, despite a gutsy display from the Briton. The Swiss maestro moves into the third round, where he will play either Taylor Fritz or Gael Monfils. Bye for now.
Federer speaks to Jim Courier on court: “I couldn’t pull away early in the match. If I was able to close that second set things would have gone smoother.”
He says playing the day session, with a bit of a breeze and with Evans playing well, meant the margins were slim.
Asked about his Hopman Cup appearance earlier this Australian summer, against Serena Williams: “Yes it was fun. The city was talking about it, the country was talking about it. That was nice for tennis. It was also nice for me and Serena, Francis and Belinda. I was looking forward to it since the draw came out. She’s a wonderful player.”
What a fight from Evans though. Dare I say, a typically British, dogged performance? Andy Murray would have been proud.
Game set and match! Federer wins 7-6, 7-6, 6-3
Third set: Evans 3-6, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): There it is! Two excellent serves from Federer, followed by a textbook serve and volley puts the Swiss at match point. And he delivers with a backhand winner!
Third set: Evans* 3-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): Evans is rolling over yet. He races to a 40-0 lead before sealing the game. Over to you Roger. Can you serve out the match? Let’s find out.
Third set: Evans 2-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): “Think, think!” a frustrated Evans shouts at himself after a loose backhand. Federer doesn’t have to think too much about his serve, it’s like clockwork for him now and he holds to edge closer to the third round.
Third set: Evans* 2-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): Evans delivers probably his easiest service game now, and this time he doesn’t blow it at 40-0 up as Federer returns into the net. He’s still alive. But barely.
Third set: Evans 1-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): An ace. A leaping backhand smash. A strong serve Evans can’t return. A backhand winner. Great stuff. Game to Federer.
Third set: Evans* 1-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): Federer breaks! Evans opens up a 40-o lead before Federer delivers a reminder just why he is one of the greatest tennis players of all time with a delightful drop shot from an angle that he shouldn’t have even thought playing such a shot was possible. The Swiss uses that moment of magic as a springboard to come back to deuce, Evans making a poor shot decision at 40-30 to allow Federer back into the point. And from there he makes the first breakthrough of this match. You wouldn’t bet on him allowing this one to go to a fourth set now. Would you?
Loving #danevans + #Federer match @AustralianOpen some shot making and talent display going on here!
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) January 16, 2019
Third set: Evans 1-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): Likewise for Federer. You feel a couple of early exchanged service games will merely be building to some drama soon enough.
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Third set: Evans* 1-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): No real dramas here for Evans, who holds easily enough to get on the scoreboard this third set.
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Third set: Evans 0-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): Rain clouds loom large on the horizon as Federer picks up the ball to kick off the third set. Blink and you’ll miss it. That’s an easy hold for Federer, and a great way to start.
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Federer wins second set 7-6 (7-3)
Second set tie break: Evans 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (5-7) Federer: Federer aces and he’s nearly there! A shanked service return later keeps Evans in it – for now – but Federer soon has three set points and he only needs one of them to secure the second set! At two sets to love to Federer, the scoreboard is unsurprising, but credit to Evans – he’s pushed the third seed in both sets and this is far, far from a walkover.
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Second set tie break: Evans 6-6, 6-7 (5-7) Federer: Evans begins his fight back, taking the next two points before Federer opens up a two-point lead again. The players change ends with the Swiss 4-2 up.
Second set tie break: Evans 6-6, 6-7 (5-7) Federer: Evans flunks a volley at the net on the first point before he returns Federer’s first serve into the net. 3-0 swiftly follows and it’s looking good for the former world No 1 at this point.
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Second set: Evans 6-6, 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): Cometh the hour, cometh the GOAT. Federer serves into a 40-0 lead and then forces Evans to fire one way out. Tie-break time.
Second set: Evans* 6-5, 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): Oh my goodness, Evans was right earlier – he’s doing a LOT of running out there. In particular at 15-15 when Federer has him chasing all over the court. Imperious from the Swiss, but those points are all a bit sporadic at the moment. Evans holds after winning this third game on the bounce. And now the pressure is on the No 3 seed.
Second set: Evans 5-5, 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): Evans is wild on the first return of serve but he allows himself a clenched fist and internal “c’,mon” as he gets his nose in front at 30-15. Federer then double faults and you’d never believe it, it’s break point! Two of them! Federer saves the first one but Evans monsters a backhand on the second and he breaks back to keep alive his chances of winning the second set! Tremendous effort from the Brit! He’s pumped now.
Teacher: Roger Federer
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2019
Student: Dan Evans
The world No.189 produces a passing crosscourt backhand to break back Federer and level the second set 5-5.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Xh3Pwy5VLQ
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Second set: Evans* 4-5, 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): A huge hold for Evans, who saves two set points! It begins with a sensational backhand volley from Federer – an incredible stretch sees him not only reach the ball but get it back over the net and in. As a bonus it puts him two points from the second set. Evans pulls back to 30-30 but the Brit can’t get near a backhand on the next point and the Swiss has the first set point. Evans punches a backhand down the line to save it, but Federer responds with a massive forehand winner to bring up a second chance to take the set. Evans again gets out of jail, this time with a forehand winner of his own before he goes on to hold. Phew. But he now has to face Federer’s serve.
Second set: Evans 3-5, 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): At 30-0 Federer aces but Evans fights back to deuce and forces the Swiss to regather. He does so, aces, and then closes it out with a forehand winner. Evans will now serve to stay in the second set.
Second set: Evans* 3-4, 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): No bother for Evans in this one. But we’re approaching do or die time this second set and Evans needs to make his move on Federer’s serve sharpish, or he’ll be chasing the Swiss’ coattails before long.
Second set: Evans 2-4, 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): Federer is forced to wait for some fans to take their seats at the beginning of this game. He doesn’t let the delay distract him though and, one shot that lands long at the baseline apart, he’s pretty much perfect.
Second set: Evans* 2-3, 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): Evans is holding his own here and opens up a bit this game. He wins it to 30, but it looks like he’ll still have to find a way to break Federer if he’s to stay in this set. That has so far proved elusive for the Brit.
Second set: Evans 1-3, 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): Over an hour and 20 minutes on the board and Federer finds it difficult to put this game to bed as a decent return of serve from Evans midway through and then a wayward overhead from Federer brings up deuce. A successful challenge by Evans keeps it at deuce before he brings up his first break point chance of the match. But he can’t capitalise on a superb point involving numerous net cords before Federer dispatches the ball at the net. A nice verbal exchange ensues – Evans, with a smile on his face, says he’s the one doing all the running – before Federer does eventually hold. A big one, that.
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Second set: Evans* 1-2, 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): Evans steadies himself though and this is a much better service game from him. “C’mon, c’mon” is his cry as he serves out to love. Just what he needed at that point of the match, you’d think.
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Second set: Evans 0-2, 6-7 (5-7) Federer* (*denotes server): With that first set in the bag, Federer is now playing a lot more freely. For example, an outrageously spinning drop shot that nearly bounces back into the net here seals his service game. You fear for Evans now.
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Second set: Evans* 0-1, 6-7 (5-7) Federer (*denotes server): A few first set stats to start off with: Federer had 22 winners to Evans’ 12, but the Swiss had eight unforced errors to Evans’ three. To the second set! Evans serves, Federer lashes a backhand back past him, Evans makes two unforced errors, Federer breaks! That was all a bit too easy for the Swiss. A great start and just what Evans fans would have been fearing so early in the second set.
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Federer wins first set 7-6 (7-5)
First set tie break: Evans 6-7 (5-7) Federer: Evans’ radar fails him at a crucial point to bring up set point for Federer and the Swiss makes no mistake, as he sends Evans chasing the ball all over the court before sealing the first set! A fine effort from the Brit though – he pushed Federer all the way there. You just feel it’s going to be difficult for Evans to come back from a set down now though.
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First set tie break: Evans 6-6 Federer: And Evans takes a 5-3 lead with a sumptuous crosscourt forehand winner! Federer’s on the ropes here, but he keeps his cool to force Evans into a mistake at the net – twice – to level at 5-5.
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First set tie break: Evans 6-6 Federer: Well, well, well. Federer finds the net, at the net, as the fifth straight point goes against serve and Evans opens up a 3-2 lead. A sixth mini-break follows as Federer levels things up before Evans, finally, manages to hold. The Brit leads 4-3...
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First set tie break: Evans 6-6 Federer: In the breaker, Evans kicks things off with a great forehand winner to win a mini-break, only for Federer to hit straight back with two mini-breaks of his own, the second sealed with a monster smash.
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First set: Evans* 6-6 Federer (*denotes server): Oohs and aahs from the crowd as Federer challenges a call but, as is often the case with Federer challenges, it’s a bad one. Evans reaches game point but Federer gets back to deuce with a move to the net. Will we see a first break point chance of the match? Not yet. But we do a couple of points later when Evans challenges a point at the baseline and is proved wrong. Federer can’t capitalise though and Evans brings up game point with a superb effort, eventually smashing past Federer, who had done well to keep the point alive. A strong serve later and we’re heading to a tie breaker!
First set: Evans 5-6 Federer* (*denotes server): A lovely volley at the net from Federer kicks off this game and there’s no looking back from there on in. Evans stretches to reach a ball at the baseline on game point, but his return in long and Federer holds again – and heaps the pressure on Evans once more. To be fair though, he’s handled it well so far today.
First set: Evans* 5-5 Federer (*denotes server): The pressure ramps up on Evans, who falls to 15-30. But the Brit shows his mettle, levelling at 30-30 before forcing Federer into an off-target backhand to bring up game point. Federer’s long again and Evans holds. That’s his best hold so far today.
First set: Evans 4-5 Federer* (*denotes server): The players return to the court after that briefest of rain delays, and he quickly secures the game. Evans will now have to hold serve to stay in the first set.
First set: Evans 4-4 Federer* (*denotes server): Oof! What a backhand by Federer, who fools Evans with a sliced backhand up the line on his way to a opening up a 40-15 lead. Then the rain (RAIN!) begins to fall on Rod Laver Arena. The chair umpire asks the players for their thoughts; they head off and sit down although there’s still some discussion as to how heavy it is and whether the roof needs to be closed.
First set: Evans* 4-4 Federer (*denotes server): Federer opens up his body and flashes a forehand winner to win the first point of Evans’ next service game but he then marks his card by finding the net on a regulation shot. Evans makes it to 40-15, but then tries a drop shot during a lengthy-ish rally. Mate, not against Roger. Federer gets to it and punishes the Brit. Evans regrets another poor decision to move to the net but he manages to compose himself at deuce and goes on to hold. Still on serve in this first set.
First set: Evans 3-4 Federer* (*denotes server): Much better from Federer this game. A lot more solid hitting from the Swiss as he edges ahead once more, for the loss of just one point.
First set: Evans* 3-3 Federer (*denotes server): Have to say I’m a fan of Evans’ outfit. A bit like a short-sleeved dentist’s smock. But in a good way. He holds serve once again as Federer again shanks a shot off the frame of his racket on game point. We’re yet to see the No 3 seed in full flow today.
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First set: Evans 2-3 Federer* (*denotes server): Federer wastes no time in game No 5, sealing the deal as Evans can only find the net after being forced slightly wide before playing a backhand return.
An email! “Mike I’m in Ncal and my power is out no WiFi you are my link to Raja tonite,” writes Steven Montez. Thoughts and prayers Steven.
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First set: Evans* 2-2 Federer (*denotes server): Another good opening service point from Evans, who draw Federer out wide before moving to the net and finishing with a delicate smash (if that’s possible). He finds the net cord on the next point – and is unlucky on which side of the court the ball falls on. A point later Federer unleashes his trademark backhand, such a beautiful sight, but he’s not quite so accurate with a couple of forehands afterwards, and Evans stays in touch at two games apiece.
First set: Evans 1-2 Federer* (*denotes server): Hello, hello, what’s this then? A ball finds the frame of Federer’s racket and he finds himself 30-0 down on his own serve. Time to panic? Of course not. This is Roger. His first ace of the game, down the T, gets him back into business before he closes out with another strong serve that Evans cannot return.
First set: Evans* 1-1 Federer (*denotes server): Evans, in all white, opens with an ace. Nice one Dan. Federer’s off target with a regulation backhand and then the Swiss can’t control a service return. A second ace seals the game in style. Evans not overawed in the slightest and that’s a superb start by the British qualifier.
First set: Evans 0-1 Federer* (*denotes server): OK, here we go. The Swiss maestro, looking cool in a crisp white shirt, blue shorts and matching headband, serves first. A decisive move towards the net on the second point of the match sets the tone for the rest of the game, and Federer gets on the board without any trouble.
Weather update: amid the heatwave engulfing the nation, it’s much cooler in Melbourne today, currently overcast with a breeze in effect to help keep the players cool.
Federer and Evans are out on court, a little later than the “not before 2pm” time previously advertised. That slight delay was due to the preceding women’s matches, in which fifth seed Sloane Stephens beat Timea Babos in straight sets first up and then Australia’s Ash Barty won safely through to the third round! Barty, tipped to go deep at this year’s tournament, was comfortable in beating China’s Yafan Wang 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour.
Preamble
On paper this one’s not a contest. It is, after all, Roger Federer. The great Roger Federer, six-times winner at Melbourne Park, 20-times grand slam winner and widely-acknowledged GOAT. He’s seeded three at this year’s tournament and wasted little time in booking his place in this second round with a straight-sets win over Denis Istomin on the opening day of play.
The unlucky soul facing him is Dan Evans of Britain, who won his first grand slam match since returning from a drugs ban earlier this week – in three sets against fellow qualifier Tatsuma Ito. He will have taken great heart from that victory, but... Federer.
Anyway, Evans’ job is to prove everyone (but mostly me) wrong this afternoon in Melbourne, when he takes to Rod Laver Arena. Stick with us, the players will be on court shortly.
