Evans wins first Wimbledon match for four years

Dan Evans became the eighth British player to go through to round two

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. Full coverage guide.

Former British number one Dan Evans said his first Wimbledon win in four years "meant everything" as he beat compatriot Jay Clarke to reach the second round.

The 35-year-old struggled for victories before the grass-court season - a run that saw him drop out of the world top 150 and left him uncertain if he would be able to play at Wimbledon.

But, after recording some good wins at Queen's and Eastbourne, he was handed a wildcard for his home Grand Slam and made the most of that opportunity by beating Clarke 6-1 7-5 6-2 in the first round.

Not only was that his first Wimbledon victory since 2021, but also means he could secure a mouth-watering second-round tie against former world number one Novak Djokovic, who faces Alexandre Muller of France later on Tuesday.

"Today meant everything," Evans told BBC Sport.

"Yes, it was wildcard versus wildcard but that was one of my top, top wins in my career.

"Coming to these tournaments, you look ahead to grass courts and I had no wins. I don't want to be that person asking for a wildcard when I didn't deserve it.

"I really needed wins, I really needed to come here deserving for myself, not for the wildcards but for myself, being able to compete with these guys and three months ago I was not playing well enough to compete."

His victory means he joins seven British players from Monday in reaching the next round.

But there was disappointment for some of his compatriots on day two as former British number one Heather Watson was knocked out in the women's draw.

She had made a strong start against 23rd seed Clara Tauson by taking the opening set but the Dane showed her quality to battle back and win 2-6 6-4 6-3.

Former British number two Jodie Burrage also went out as she was beaten by American Caty McNally 6-3 6-1, while Francesca Jones lost to Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva 1-6 6-3 6-1.

In the men's draw, wildcards Johannus Monday and George Loffhagen both exited in the opening round.

Monday lost 6-4 6-4 6-2 to American 13th seed Tommy Paul while Loffhagen was beaten 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 by Spanish world number 52 Pedro Martinez.

Emotional Evans hoping for Djokovic chance

At 35, Evans can't be sure how many Wimbledon tournaments he has left and in the build-up to the prestigious event he became emotional during a press conference as he discussed the challenges he has faced this year.

Currently ranked 170th in the world, Evans needed a wildcard to secure his place at SW19 but despite his struggles earlier this year, his grass-court form has been encouraging.

Against Clarke, who was making his first appearance in the main draw in three years, he looked hungry from the outset, breaking on his opponent's first serve before losing just one game on his way to taking the first set.

The second proved more of a battle as Clarke pushed Evans hard, with both serving strongly before the latter got the break in the 11th game before serving for the set.

Evans had let out a roar when securing the break, knowing how crucial it was on another hot day at Wimbledon, and he carried the momentum into the final set with an immediate break.

Clarke was then broken again in the fifth game with Evans' working his backhand well and he closed out the remainder of the set to progress.

Once again the emotions spilled over as Evans punched the air in delight, before throwing some of his tennis equipment to the jubilant crowd.

Now he has his eyes on potentially facing 24-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic again - he beat the Serb in their only previous meeting in Monte Carlo in 2021.

"It would be really nice to play Novak," added Evans.

"He won't mind me saying he is at the latter end of his career and I'd really go out there and give it a go, because it is really special for it to be in England against the greatest of all time."

Watson's hopes ended early on

Heather Watson reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2022

Watson, who reached the fourth round just three years ago, got off to a bad start when she was broken in just the third game.

But that sparked a fine spell for the former British number two as she won five games in a row on her way to taking the first set.

Tauson initially looked to have no answer for her opponent but she regrouped and came out stronger in the second set, securing another early break and this time making it stick, although she was helped by Watson struggling with her second serve.

With conditions once again sweltering at Wimbledon, Watson started to lose the accuracy of some of her shots in the decisive third set and was broken at 3-3.

Tauson then closed out the remainder of the match to seal her place in the second round.

It is the first time Tauson has reached the second round of Wimbledon, while Watson exits in round one for the third year in a row.