Dane begins quest for third straight Paris quarter-final without dropping a set
©️Philippe Montigny / FFTHolger Rune’s mission to rebuild and reassert himself as a genuine contender is heading in the right direction after a relatively straightforward Roland-Garros opening victory over Dan Evans on Tuesday night.
Under the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the 13th seed looked far more at home on the terre battue than the slicing and dicing 34-year-old Brit.
His heavier blows off both wings dismantled the world No.62 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
A year ago, the Dane was flying high as the world No.4 following Masters 1000 finals in Monte-Carlo and Rome during a run of three clay-court finals from four events and he had reiterated his bold intentions to snare one of the four major trophies by season’s end.
While that did not materialise, of greater concern was his dip in form since Wimbledon. After a torrid start to the year, this was a small but optimistic step on the road back.
“It was fun, it was also difficult. Dan is a tricky player,” Rune said. “Definitely had to stay focused and tried to play on my terms. He's obviously playing his strengths all the time. It makes it difficult, but I'm happy with the first round.
“Physically I feel great, which is nice, and the tennis is getting better. I'm just trying to build.”
While not one who typically ventured to net as frequently as Evans, Rune took his opponent on at his own game, picking off a low backhand winner to close to within a game of a two-set lead. A net-rushing backhand off a second serve in the following game demonstrated his growing confidence at shortening points.
It felt as though the 21-year-old was in control on a surface that suited his game more than his opponent’s, which freed him up to add variety at net.
Serving for the match, he again chanced his luck with a fast close to angle away a commanding low backhand volley on his way to the second round.
“Luckily I know what's going on. I need to,” Rune said of his tactics. “Honestly, I don't want to say everything I like to do on the court, but I definitely like to be creative. I feel like it's a part of my game. I like the drop shot that you see, I like to come forward to the net.”
There was a blip when Evans broke for 4-2 in the third set before Rune turned physicist to argue the trajectory of a ball’s mark on the baseline and he landed the immediate break back.
It was enough to set the Brit off momentarily and he vented his frustrations at Rune being allowed to enter into repeat discussions with the chair umpire.
It was the final push the Dane needed. He broke again and peeled off the final four games to lock in a second-round tussle with 22-year-old Italian Flavio Cobolli.
For only the fourth time this century, no British man reached the second round in the draw at Roland-Garros.
It also happened in 2020, 2013 and 2007.
In his final appearance in Paris, Andy Murray succumbed in straight sets to former champion Stan Wawrinka, Jack Draper fell in five sets to qualifier Jesper de Jong, and 32nd seed Cameron Norrie lost to Pavel Kotov in five sets.
Evans was aiming for his 150th tour-level win but slumped to his sixth straight loss on clay this season.
Expectations will be higher among the former world No.21 and his compatriots upon the switch to home turf next month.
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
