If he is to build upon his impressive showing of the last two weeks, Dan Evans will have to get used to walking in the land of the giants, and they do not come much bigger than Juan Martin Del Potro.
Evans was giving away nine inches to the world No 7 in the third round yesterday, and despite a fightback in the second set, fell to a 6-0, 6-3 defeat against the Argentine.
Having beaten world No 37 Jarkko Nieminen the previous day this was another step up in class, and the chasm of 270 ranking places could not be closed against the 6ft 6in 2009 US Open champion, who looked at ease on the slick turf.
Evans, who now tries to qualify for Wimbledon, said: ‘In the second set I was in all the rallies and I felt comfortable, it’s just that I gave him more free points than he gave me.’
Elena Baltacha reached the last eight in Nottingham yesterday with a 6-1, 6-3 win over fellow Brit Emily Webley-Smith.
Heather Watson pulled out of the doubles in Birmingham due to a back strain.
Meanwhile, Gael Monfils has pulled out of Wimbledon for ‘personal reasons’, despite playing in this week’s ATP grass event in Halle. The Frenchman said he could not play due to something he described as ‘serious’.
Out: Gael Monfils has pulled out of Wimbledon owing to personal reasons More... Payday bonanza as seven Brits receive Wimbledon wildcards worth £23,500 EACH Murray facing nightmare run to Wimbledon glory against Federer, Djokovic AND Nadal after French Open champion drops to No 5 in the world Brits bow out in Birmingham as Robson, Watson and Konta suffer defeats
