Wimbledon 2021: Andy Murray and Dan Evans lose in third round

Andy Murray's Wimbledon run came to an end as beating Canadian 10th seed Denis Shapovalov proved a step too far on his singles comeback.

Two-time champion Murray, 34, lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 against left-hander Shapovalov.

Murray's loss came after British number one Dan Evans saw his bid to reach the last 16 for the first time ended by American prodigy Sebastian Korda.

Evans, 31, had not dropped a set in his opening two matches, but was beaten 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 by the SW19 debutant.

The 22nd seed came unstuck against 20-year-old Korda, who is ranked 50th in the world but looked unfazed on the big stage.

The exits of Murray and Evans leave Cameron Norrie as the last British man able to reach the second week of this year's tournament in the singles.

Norrie plays eight-time champion Roger Federer on Saturday, the same day as the last Briton in the women's singles, 18-year-old Emma Raducanu, faces Sorana Cirstea.

"This is a dream come true for me," Shapovalov said after beating former world number one Murray.

"I put in countless years of hard work to play on Centre Court and to play Andy in a match like this.

"He is truly an inspiration to many people - including me.

"It is amazing to be here and I don't think I could have played any better."

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Classy Shapovalov proves step too far for Murray

Thrilling victories in his opening two matches resulted in Murray defying the odds yet again - but 22-year-old Shapovalov represented a sharp step up in class.

Murray made slow starts in the opening two sets, trailing 5-1 in both as the Canadian showed his quality, and even the Scot found this challenge insurmountable.

The circumstances in which he beat Georgian 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili and German qualifier Oscar Otte were impressive as he survived a wobble in the first and fought back to win a dramatic five-setter in the second.

In both of those matches Murray returned rejuvenated under the roof after the players went off because of darkness.

This time, against an energetic opponent who hit a total of 42 winners, another enforced break before the third set could not help the Scot.

Under the lights, Shapovalov refused to ease off. The world number 12 continued to make Murray work in his service games and dominated his own for another 5-1 lead in the third set.

A mature performance was sealed with an ace as Murray, the 2013 and 2016 champion, departed to another standing ovation.

Nevertheless, Murray will reflect on the success of his return to the Wimbledon singles - following a four-year absence - once the disappointment of this defeat wears off.

In January 2019, the three-time Grand Slam champion thought he would have to retire as he prepared to have metal inserted into his hip through a resurfacing surgery.

The fact Murray has even been able to play matches at Wimbledon again, let alone win them and create special atmospheres on Centre Court, has been a testament to his greatness.

"I told him at the net that he is my hero," added Shapovalov, who will play Spanish eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 16.

"Achievements aside, to be able to come back with an injury like this and playing the tennis he is playing, it has been vintage Andy. It was fun to see as a fan."

'It hurts to come up short' - Evans

Evans, ranked 26th in the world, looked sorely disappointed after losing on Centre Court, going down to a youngster considered one of the rising stars of the sport.

"It was a good chance to have a decent run. It hurts to come up short," Evans told BBC Sport.

"It feels like I'm running out time. It was a good opportunity at home. It's tough to go out like that."

Korda, son of former Australian Open champion Petr, played with clarity and confidence throughout most of the match.

The tall right-hander demonstrated his all-round ability in front of the 7,500 fans, forcing mistakes from Evans with his powerful forehand and showing a willingness to go to the net.

"He's got the game, the belief, the composure - he's got it all, actually. Things can only get better," former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe said in his role as a BBC television analyst.

By contrast, the Englishman was restless throughout and regularly shouted towards his box as he was unable to find a way around Korda.

His frustration peaked when he failed to consolidate a break for a 5-2 lead in the fourth set, before a double fault effectively destroyed his chances when it helped put Korda 5-4 up.

"I think I played the better tennis in the fourth set. I had chances," said Evans. "I just couldn't string tennis together in long enough periods of time."

Korda, though, still had to keep his nerve and serve out. He missed a smash for 0-30 to give Evans - and the crowd - hope, but responded with a service winner and backhand down the line to level.

A 123mph ace down the middle teed up a first match point, which he calmly took with another smash.

Korda raised both hands in the air as he looked towards his father, who was watching on, as a despondent Evans quickly left court.

Korda will now look forward to playing his first Wimbledon last-16 match on his 21st birthday, when he faces Russian 25th seed Karen Khachanov on Monday.

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