Juan Martin del Potro eases past Dan Evans

THIRD seed Juan Martin del Potro eased to a straight-sets victory over Dan Evans to end the British wildcard’s hopes of causing another upset at Queen’s.

The 23-year-old had seen off Guido Pella and 13th seed Jarkko Nieminen to set up a meeting with the world No 8 but the Argentine proved too strong for Britain’s Davis Cup star.

Ranked 292 places below his illustrious opponent, Evans could not cope with Del Potro and lost 6-0, 6-3 in 57 minutes on centre court.

Del Potro will face four-time Queen’s champion Lleyton Hewitt for a place in the semi-final while Evans will move on to Wimbledon, where he has a qualifying wildcard entry.

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had to work a double shift as organisers tried to get the grasscourt event back on schedule following Wednesday’s multiple rain delays. He beat compatriot Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 but then appeared rather grumpy during a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 win over Dutchman Igor Sijsling.

Second-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych recorded a 6-3 ,6-4 third-round win over Slovenia’s Grega Zemlja.