That sets up a second date in a row with a home-grown outsider for the seven-times victor, who on Centre Court on Wednesday wrote the final chapter in the Wimbledon fairytale of 772th-ranked Marcus Willis.
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Dan Evans left Centre Court with happy memories but admitted he had been on the wrong end of a “drumming” from Roger Federer.
Federer, the world No.3, will be a different prospect altogether, however. It was just an awesome experience just to play him. Other people should look at putting a bit of extra time in, the Brits, and we can all do it. “Before I knew, it was over”. I would say I wasn’t ready for that day in, day out commitment.
“Today again, after the match, I just said he played great and I wished him the best for the rest of the year”, Federer said. More experiences like this.
Reflecting on his contest with Federer, Willis, said: “It is daunting”.
“Tomorrow it’s relax, and Monday hopefully I’ll have great energy when I come back”, added the Swiss, who awaits the victor of the encounter between Grigor Dimitrov and Steve Johnson.
“What I like about his game is he reads it well”. My approach going into the match was that I was playing a top-50 guy, because that’s how he is now, after just this particular week. I’m probably going to go for some pain, running around.
He held up his arm in acknowledgement and amazement, grinning and shaking his head at the lunacy of it all.
Even the most over-egged Hollywood script could not have had him losing to world number 772 Willis, whose transformation from a 30 pounds ($40.30) an hour tennis coach to Wimbledon sensation has captured the imagination of the sporting world.
Evans will not be seeking any tips from Willis – “lost in three straights, no advice needed” – but has been following his mate’s story with both delight and disbelief.
He still seems like the same person I first met.
“He said to us at the club before any of this happened, “whatever happens, I will be back at work”. I’ve still got a lot to learn, a lot of improving to do.
One match that should provide plenty of entertainment is the first match on Court One between Nick Kyrgios and Dustin Brown.
Knee surgery in February kept him out for two months and he then missed a grand slam for the first time since 1999 when back problems forced him to sit out the French Open.
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The upgrade of opponent from worthy Ukrainian to peerless Swiss offers the chance for the 26-year-old electrician’s son to make his name in victory, although Willis has already made his in defeat.
