Dan Evans to face Roger Federer as Johanna Konta also breezes through

British No 2 Dan Evans defeated 25th seed Lucas Pouille yesterday to earn a meeting with Roger Federer in the US Open at Flushing Meadow.
Johanna Konta plays a return during her defeat of  Margarita Gasparyan in the second round of the womens singles at Flushing Meadow. Picture: GettyJohanna Konta plays a return during her defeat of  Margarita Gasparyan in the second round of the womens singles at Flushing Meadow. Picture: Getty
Johanna Konta plays a return during her defeat of Margarita Gasparyan in the second round of the womens singles at Flushing Meadow. Picture: Getty

The 29-year-old from Birmingham was an impressive 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4 winner on Court 12.

Evans took advantage of a lacklustre display by Pouille, racing into a two-set lead and a break up in the third.

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Frenchman Pouille belatedly found his range and broke Evans twice with the finish line in sight. Evans hit back to level the set but then blew a 3-0 lead in the tiebreak.

However, Evans finished the job in the fourth set to set up a third career clash with 20-time grand slam winner Federer.

The world No 58 has yet to win a set against the Swiss star, but he pushed him close in Australia earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Johanna Konta also swept into the third round in commanding fashion.

The British No 1 reeled off 12 games in a row as she thrashed Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan 6-1, 6-0 in only 54 minutes.

Alexander Zverev came through yet another gruelling five-setter to reach the third round.

The sixth seed won a see-saw battle against American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 2-6 ,6-3, two days after going the distance against Radu Albot.

It was the 11th time the 22-year-old German has gone the full five sets in his relatively short career.

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“I’ve been here before,” he said afterwards. “It’s usually what I do in the first few rounds of a grand slam, play five sets. Maybe it’s to entertain the crowd.

“Frances gave me a real fight. I’m just happy to get the win somehow. I know if it goes the distance I am ready.

“I’ve known Frances since we were little kids, we played each other all through juniors.

“Every match we play is getting tougher and tougher. Hopefully that will continue and we will play bigger matches throughout our careers.”

David Goffin, the 15th seed from Belgium, beat French qualifier Gregoire Barrere 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.