Britain’s Dan Evans suffered a defeat by world quantity two Carlos Alcaraz in a carefully fought third-round tie on the Shanghai Masters.
Evans was up a break in every set however misplaced 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to the Spaniard in almost two and a half hours.
He saved six break factors – from 13 within the first set – throughout a fifth sport that lasted almost 20 minutes earlier than shedding the opener on a tie-break.
Evans was then damaged when serving to remain within the match within the second set.
“It was a extremely robust match,” mentioned Alcaraz.
“It was one of many hardest matches I’ve performed outdoors of the Grand Slams.
“Each time I play Daniel it’s a difficult match and I’ve to play my greatest to beat him. Each of us performed a top quality of tennis and I’m actually glad to get by.”
Alcaraz will play Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8-6) 6-4, within the final 16.
On the Korea Open in Seoul, Britain’s Katie Boulter was crushed 6-4 6-4 within the first spherical by Kaja Juvan of Slovenia.