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The British number one fell in straight sets to the lucky loser, who defeated the world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals; Lorenzo Sonego will meet Russian Andrey Rublev in Sunday’s final
Last Updated: 10/31/20 6:32 pm
Dan Evans lost in straight sets in the semi-final stage in Vienna
Dan Evans was defeated by Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Erste Bank Open, as the Italian backed up his impressive quarter-final victory over Novak Djokovic.
The British No. 1 reached his second consecutive ATP semi-final with a 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-3 victory against Grigor Dimitrov, but did not replicate those heights against Sonego.
He broke in his first service game of the match for the world No. 42. After that, he was unable to restore order as his Italian opponent picked up where he had left off against Djokovic.
Sonego’s path to the semi-final, and now to the final, is remarkable, as he lost his last qualifying match before the competition. However, he was able to enter the main draw as a lucky underdog when Diego Schwartzman retired.
Lorenzo Sonego is the first lucky loser to reach the final in Vienna since Andreas Haider-Maurer did it in 2010.
During the 80-minute semi-final between Sonego and Evans, the former shot 25 winners and won 80 percent of the points on his first serve.
By contrast, Evans was only able to secure 55 percent of points on his first serve and needed treatment for a shoulder discomfort during the second set.
“I’m very happy, after yesterday it wasn’t easy to play Evans, but I won and I’m very happy,” Sonego said.
“It’s amazing. I started this tournament [by losing] in the qualies. It’s not easy after losing my [qualifying] game to win four games and now I’ve reached the final. “
Lorenzo Sonego surprised world No.1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday and meets fit Andrey Rublev below.
The Italian, who is seeking the second title of his career, will face the in form Andrey Rublev in the final on Sunday.
Rublev booked his spot there as a result of a productive first set against Kevin Anderson, before the two-time Grand Slam finalist was forced to retire.
Rublev, the fifth seed, was leading 6-4 4-1 when Anderson retired with a right thigh problem. He has now won 18 of his last 19 games and is seeking a fifth ATP title of the season.
If Andrey Rublev wins Sunday’s final, he will qualify for the ATP Finals in London and become the fifth Russian to compete in the year-end competition.
“I have such an amazing team, such amazing friends around me who are always supporting me and that’s probably why I’m playing so well,” Rublev said in his on-court interview.
He has yet to lose a set or service game in the tournament and Sonego, who is 34 places lower than his opponent in the final, has promised to take an unrestricted approach.
“I have no expectations,” he said. “I go with confidence and I [will] try to do the best you can. “
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