The second-ranked Briton battled back from a set down to defeat the big-serving Dutchman 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 and advance to the third round in New York for the sixth time in his career.
Evans, the No. 24 seed, could have drawn any of the top eight seeds, but he decided to just go all out against Alcaraz nonetheless.
Evans admitted, “It’s my fault (that he was ranked lower than me). To have him among the top eight is a minor annoyance, but such is life. This pairing is ideal. I can’t wait, and you can count on an aggressive performance from me. There have been some surprising results on that court in the past.
Even though the Spaniard won both matches in straight sets, Evans said he will take heart from facing Alcaraz twice.
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“I played a good match in Barcelona this year and have some insight into how he will play,” Evans remarked. It’s a really tight tie. In all likelihood, he will be the clear favorite. However, this is a great chance to test one’s tennis skills against a top competitor. That’s why you hit the courts so often.
Evans, who was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round this year, finally rediscovered his groove on US hardcourts and won his maiden Grand Slam tournament last month in Washington.
After a tense opening set on a boisterous Court 11, Evans was aided by a similar effort against Van de Zandschulp, the world’s No. 65.
“I played in these conditions late at night a lot in Washington,” Evans recalled. Here, a lot of things are the same. Having something solid to lean on gave me peace of mind.
At crucial moments in the second set This summer in the United States, I made a lot of snap decisions under pressure, and vice versa. It’s not a big thing if I don’t. Regroup and get to work on that next level.
After stunning straight-set victories on Saturday, both Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper will join Evans in the third round of the men’s tournament.
Draper defeated No. 17 seed Hubert Hurkacz, of Poland, 6-2, 6-4, 7-5, while Norrie defeated Yu Hsiou Lu of Taiwan 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.
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