STUART FRASER

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TENNIS
EVANS AND SOUTH LAST REMAINING BRITS IN GLASGOW
BritishTennis.net
By Stuart Fraser
Thursday 22^nd October 2009

Dan Evans is the sole Brit remaining in the men’s draw at the Aegon Pro Series in Glasgow after today’s quarter-finals.

The British No.5 won his match after opponent Irishman Conor Niland retired through injury after losing the first set 6-2. 

Evans has not dropped a set all week and is happy with his form heading into tomorrow’s semi-final against Italian Claudio Grassi.

He said: “I have played well.  I like the indoor hard surface so the courts suit me.  It has been a solid week so far but there are still two matches to go.”

Evans’ semi-final opponent Grassi beat David Rice 6-3, 6-3 whilst Richard Bloomfield was knocked out by top seed Yannick Mertens, of Belgium, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

It is a similar story in the women’s draw as Melanie South is the only Brit in tomorrow’s quarter-finals after defeating fellow Brit Lisa Whybourn 7-6 (1), 6-4.

Naomi Cavaday and Anna Smith both suffered losses in three set matches. 

Cavaday was beaten by 32-year-old Tunisian Selima Sfar 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-2 and Smith was defeated by Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 3-6 6-3 6-0.

Wild card Jade Curtis was defeated by top seed Patricia Mayr, of Austria, 6-2, 6-4.

US open junior champion Heather Watson tonight plays her doubles quarter-final with Cavaday against Evelyn and Julia Mayr of Italy.

The 17-year-old is out of the singles after losing to Sfar in the first round on Tuesday and Watson felt her opponent’s experience showed on court.

She said: “She played quite old school with the slice and volleys.  I didn’t make many balls today which wasn’t good and I wasn’t really at the top of my game.

“It’s tough but I’m learning all the time.  I’m still new to the circuit so I just hope to learn from this and keep improving.”