Disappointment for Birmingham teenager aiming to emulate Murray

Dan Evans’ attempt to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open boys’ tournament ended in disappointment early today The 17-year-old British junior came back from a set and a break down but was eventually beaten 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 by India’s Yuki Bhambri.

The first set was always tight, but when Bhambri took a 4-2 lead in the second Evans appeared to be on his way out. However, the Birmingham teenager has repeatedly shown his fighting spirit here and won the next four games to level the match.

After the first five games of the second set had gone against serve, Bhambri took a decisive lead when he held to go 4-2 up. Evans, the No 3 seed, recovered from 15-40 down in the next game to hold serve, but Bhambri broke again at 5-3 to take the match.

The Indian, who is only 15, played with remarkable maturity and consistency throughout, making few mistakes. Evans, attempting to become the first Briton to reach the last four of a Grand Slam junior tournament since Andy Murray won the title in New York four years ago, hit some fine winners but his shot selection sometimes let him down.