In a gripping display of resilience, Britain’s Dan Evans secured a stunning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over world No. 13 Tommy Paul in the second round of the Lexus Eastbourne Open on June 25, 2025, advancing to his first ATP quarterfinal since 2023. The 35-year-old wildcard, ranked No. 170, delivered a performance filled with heart and precision at Devonshire Park, thrilling the home crowd as he outlasted the American second seed in a two-hour, three-set battle. The win, coming just days before Wimbledon, marks a significant milestone in Evans’ comeback from a challenging season marred by injuries and a dip in form.
Evans, a former British No. 1, arrived in Eastbourne buoyed by recent grass-court success, including a career-best win over world No. 13 Frances Tiafoe at Queen’s Club and a first-round victory against No. 49 Miomir Kecmanovic (3-6, 6-4, 6-4). Against Paul, a 2024 Queen’s Club champion and 2023 Eastbourne finalist, Evans showcased his trademark slice backhand and flat serve, hitting 17 winners to Paul’s 31 but capitalizing on the American’s 43 unforced errors compared to his own 26. His 73% first-serve point win rate and ability to save four break points were pivotal, especially in the decisive third set, where he broke Paul at 3-1 and held firm under pressure.
The emotional weight of the victory was evident as Evans, visibly tearful, celebrated with outstretched arms before a jubilant crowd. “I’ve been waiting for a moment like this,” he told the BBC, reflecting on a tough 2025 season with a 14-17 record, including time on the ATP Challenger circuit. “I know I’ve done the work, and today I just enjoyed it. I stopped worrying about what he was doing and played my game.” His composure while serving for the match at 5-3 in the third set highlighted his growing confidence on grass, where he now holds a 5-3 record this season.
Paul, returning from a three-week hiatus after a French Open quarterfinal loss to Carlos Alcaraz, struggled to find rhythm in his first grass-court match of 2025. Despite a 10-2 grass record last year and a 1-1 head-to-head with Evans (Evans led 2-1, with wins in 2021 and 2022), Paul’s abdominal injury concerns and lack of recent match play showed. His aggressive playstyle, reliant on a potent backhand, faltered under Evans’ tactical variety, particularly a no-look volley that electrified the crowd.
Evans now faces American lucky loser Jenson Brooksby in the quarterfinals, with a potential semi-final against compatriot Billy Harris, who also advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Mattia Bellucci. The victory, Evans’ third over a top-50 player in two weeks, boosts his momentum heading into Wimbledon, where he holds a wildcard. As he continues his “work in progress,” Evans’ emotional triumph in Eastbourne signals a resurgent force on the grass courts he loves.
