Eastbourne: Dan Evans frustrated after falling at first hurdle

The Brit was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Germany’s Tobias Kamke (Getty)

Dan Evans was left frustrated by his failure to take his chances after he was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Germany’s Tobias Kamke on the first day of the Aegon International in Eastbourne today.

The 24-year-old British No 2, who was given a wild card into the tournament, is having to cope with an injury to his knee, which he admitted had been “pretty sore” this week.

Evans, who claimed the scalp of Jurgen Melzer at last week’s Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club before losing to Kevin Anderson, knows that he needs to build up his ranking points total in the coming weeks. The world No 144 will be defending third-round points at the US Open later in the summer and admitted he would be 'dropping like a stone come September' if he does not put together a decent run soon.

Wimbledon, where Evans has another wild card, could provide an opportunity. "I had my chances, but I didn't take them when I needed to and I didn’t put the ball in the court at the key times," Evans said. "It’s a bit like last week - a little frustrating. I’m pretty angry right now."

Caroline Wozniacki has not had the best of times lately but the 23-year-old Dane enjoyed a good start here, beating Australia’s Sam Stosur 7-5, 6-4. Agnieszka Radwanska, the top seed, fell at the first hurdle when she was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 by Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. "It was a very tough first round," the world No 4 said. "Hopefully I can still do great at Wimbledon."

On the first day of Wimbledon qualifying at Roehampton Britain’s Oliver Golding enjoyed a good win over Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk, who beat Milos Raonic at Halle last week. Golding, who won 6-4, 6-1, now meets Switzerland’s Marco Chiudinelli.