Evans Suffers Delray Beach Agony

Britain’s Dan Evans failed to convert three championship points as he eventually went on to lose the Delray Beach Open final to Radu Albot.

The 28-year-old looked to be on course to seal what would have been his first ATP Tour title, but he was unable to convert his chances and was eventually beaten after double-faulting when facing match point to hand his Moldovan opponent a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (9-7) success.

Despite the defeat, Evans did enjoy a successful week in Florida, winning six matches, including his semi-final victory over world number nine John Isner, and his run to the final has also enabled him to move back to the cusp of the world’s top 100 for the first time since returning from a drugs ban.

Evans was keen to take those positives out of Sunday’s defeat and he was also quick to praise world number 82 Albot, who became the first Moldovan to win an ATP Tour title.

“It’s easy to say I didn’t take the match points but I thought he played great in the moments he needed to play great,” Evans said. “I gave it a good go and it wasn’t good enough.

“It’s a little unlucky to lose 7-6 in the third with big chances, obviously three match points, but I don’t think I did much wrong. I missed two forehands, but not by a lot.”