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Dan Evans reaches third ATP tour final ahead of the Australian Open


British No 1 Dan Evans raced past Jeremy Chardy to reach the final of a warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open.

The World No 33 outplayed the experienced Frenchman on Saturday at the Murray River Open, winning in straight sets 6-2 6-2 to set up a clash with 20-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Evans has lost both of his ATP tour finals to date, losing to Gerd Muller in Sydney in 2017 and to Radu Albot at the Delray Beach Open two years later.

His opponent Auger Aliassime will also be hoping to lift his first title after the Canadian finished runner-up in his previous six finals.

Before his semi-final meeting with Chardy, Evans played two matches on Friday against Marcus Giron and Borna Coric where he also prevailed in straight-sets.

Evans said: “I was a little tired after yesterday so I was pretty happy with my concentration to come out and back yesterday up.”

Evans’ final against the talented Canadian will be the first meeting between the pair and victory for Evans would see him rise to a career-high ranking of 26. 

Evans said of Auger-Aliassime: “He’s a very good tennis player, very aggressive, big game. I’ll have to try and stop his attacking play. Maybe me play a bit more aggressive and put him on the defensive.”

“Today is great preparation for next week. Tomorrow, as well. It’s a match, but it’s match practice. Hopefully it can put me in good stead to win some matches next week.”

Evans, who is playing without a coach at the Australian Open after his split from Mark Hilton last year, will face fellow Brit Cameron Norrie in the first round on Tuesday.


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.