Dan Evans furious with US Open chiefs after lack of rest before facing Federer
DAN EVANS shared a joke with Roger Federer in the warm up — but ended up furious with US Open bosses.
The Brit No 3 and the Swiss legend were chuckling away during the pre-game pleasantries.
But Federer is not a 20-time Grand Slam winning legend for nothing and once the serious stuff got underway, Evans had nothing to smile about after a 6-2 6-2 6-1 thumping.
The Brummie, 29, though, was already seething after being plonked on to Arthur Ashe Stadium first up having played a gruelling, four-set match the day before.
Rainy weather on Wednesday meant Evans’ second-round clash with Lucas Pouille was delayed ensuring no day off while Federer had his feet up.
World No 58 Evans admitted: “I thought it was pretty tough I was first up after playing the day before if I’m being brutally honest.
“Him being totally fresh and me battling and not getting out of here until 6pm. It’s complete polar opposites, isn’t it?
"To try to beat him feeling tired, stiff and after playing four sets, it’s nearly impossible.
“Did we say anything? Do you think a guy who’s my ranking has any say in that? There’s about four people in this tournament who has a say when they play.
“The tournament obviously would rather Roger be going through than me, so it’s understandable.”
World No 3 Federer, 38, snapped when asked by SunSport if he demanded preferential treatment. He barked: “I know there was a question about if we had a preference.
"But that doesn’t mean ‘Roger asks, Roger gets’. I have heard this s**t too often now. I’m sick and tired of it.”
In all honesty, even if the Brit had a week to prepare, beating Federer in this kind of mood would have been virtually impossible.
Evans admitted beforehand serving well was key — and the Brit was bang on.
Federer, looking anything but a veteran, was all over the Evans serve and key breaks in the opening two sets left the writing very much on the wall.
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Evans had to wait until the third set before penetrating Federer’s serve. But the Swiss hit back straightaway.
He will play Belgian David Goffin or Pablo Carreno of Spain next.
JO KONTA beat China’s Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-3 to reach the fourth round for a third time where she will face Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova.
