Indian Wells: Dan Evans beaten by Roman Safiullin in first round
- Published
Dan Evans has just two wins from eight matches so far in 2024
Dan Evans has just two wins from six events this year as the British number three lost to Russian Roman Safiullin in the first round at Indian Wells.
Evans' last victory came with a 6-2 6-4 win over the world number 42 at the Los Cabos Open last month.
But Safiullin avenged that defeat with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 success to hand the world number 45 a third straight loss.
He broke serve twice to lead 5-0, and although Evans rallied, Safiullin had two more breaks in the deciding set.
Safiullin will go on to face American Sebastian Korda in the second round.
British number one Cameron Norrie, who reached the Rio Open semi-finals last time out, will face Lorenzo Sonego after the Italian beat Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.
World number one Novak Djokovic also had a first-round bye and will play Australia's Aleksandar Vukic, who beat Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (8-6).
Gael Monfils will face number eight seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland after the French veteran breezed past Australia's Max Purcell 6-1 6-2.
Meanwhile, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka suffered a 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-2 defeat by Czech Tomas Machac.