Dan Evans revealed he doesn’t put on a cap due to his “big ears” after battling by means of the warmth to defeat Facundo Bagnis within the opening spherical of the Australian Open.
The British quantity two, who struggled with sickness within the build-up to the match, was scheduled first up on what may very well be the most well liked day of the fortnight.
He toiled for practically three hours to open up a two-sets-to-one lead in opposition to his Argentinian opponent earlier than the temperature threshold was met for a suspension of play that lasted from 2pm and 5pm.
On the resumption, twenty fifth seed Evans ensured he was not out on court docket for longer than was needed, breaking serve within the seventh sport for a 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4 victory.
The temperature was already above 30 levels when play started, with Evans seeking to repeat the outcome from the primary spherical in 2017, when he defeated Bagnis in straight units earlier than making it to the fourth spherical.
Evans was bothered by the solar on his serve from one finish and, requested why he didn’t put on a cap, mentioned: “I’m pretty good in the heat, doesn’t bother me. I have just never worn a hat and I have never liked wearing one. Doesn’t feel comfortable. Big ears, I guess.
“I was obviously very unlucky. I was first (on the schedule), and that’s where the sun was, and it was super bright. I was messing around with the ball toss. That’s probably the reason I lost the second set.”
Bagnis is ranked 91 and has by no means received a main-draw match in Melbourne however he made struggle of the match.
Evans recovered from 2-0 down within the opening set after which fought again from 1-4 within the second just for Bagnis to interrupt once more.
He had simply made the breakthrough by taking the third set when he was knowledgeable the match can be suspended.
“I never even knew about the rule, to be honest,” mentioned Evans. “I came back from the toilet, and then the guy said, ‘You’re going in’. I just knew it was hot. Once the wind stopped, it was horrible.”
Evans would fairly have carried on, although, including: “I had won the third. I felt like he was struggling. He was going to the towel a lot at the back of the court. And then it was quite long, and I had to start again. I didn’t feel great going back out. But then I actually played very well.”
The 32-year-old wrapped up victory after three hours and 29 minutes and can subsequent meet veteran Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, who’s taking part in his first match because the US Open in 2021 following knee surgical procedure.
