Dan Evans warned about TWO things after Roger Federer defeat at Australian Open

The Brit was dumped out of the Australian Open in the second round by Roger Federer this morning.

And while he impressed in flashes today, he has been warned to be more professional to reach the heights his talent should allow him.

Former Australian Open champion Mats Wilander told him he needed to do two things if he wants to make a proper impact on the sport: be professional and take the game seriously.

“Roger Federer really enjoyed that match today because of the variety that came from Dan Evans,” the Eurosport pundit said.

“I haven’t seen an awful lot of Evans, but I knew he was talented, I knew he was quick around the court but I didn’t realise he had such power in both groundstrokes and the first serve.

“If he can just be a professional and take this game seriously, he will be back up in the rankings I am convinced.”

Wilander also reckons Federer is looking good as he looks to win his third straight Australian Open.

“Roger Federer looks young again, how does he do it?” he said.

Fellow pundit Annabel Croft backed Evans to have a big year and was impressed with the way he stayed in the match against Federer.

“It looked like Dan Evans was loving it out there today against Roger Federer on a big show court,” she said.

“Actually he was really matching Roger, pushing him, and giving him plenty to think about. The crowd were loving it, it was an extremely high-level match and a lot of fun to see Roger play someone who is a little bit of a mirror-image of himself.

“It was a battle of the sliced backhands between the two of them and Dan threw everything at him. In fact, he had Roger on the ropes a little bit.

“Roger likes to get the early break and then dictate the match but as he said himself he wasn’t able to get that early break and Dan clung on.

“Things then started to get a little bit edgy – two tie-break sets, he really pushed him all the way – I thought it was a terrific contest and very enjoyable tennis. It was an interesting construction of points from the two of them.

“Roger did look a little stiff at times, and there moments when I didn’t think he was totally free and moving as well as we’d expect. I know he slightly worries about his back, out of all the little niggling injuries he’s had in his career – it’s usually the back that has given him the most problems. I felt it wasn’t 100% out there, perhaps it was just my imagination.

“Dan has got a lot of support these days, people have really warmed to him and his character. He’d have come off the court feeling proud, knowing he’d pushed Roger Federer, the great icon – and I really hope he builds on the great tennis he has already played so far in 2019. I am sure he will.”

source: express.co.uk