French Open: Dan Evans promises 'soul-searching' after 'shocking' loss, Robson backs Brit to 'thrive' on grass

Dan Evans says he will do some «soul-searching» after his «shocking» first-round loss at the French Open, while Laura Robson backed the Brit to «thrive» during the upcoming grass-court season. Evans has not had a vintage 2023 so far, winning just eight matches to reach June with only a 35% win percentage. Ad He was, however, well in his contest against Thanasi Kokkinakis on Sunday, but got embroiled in a row over a foot fault and ultimately succumbed in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Roland-GarrosEvans knocked out of French Open in straight sets by Kokkinakis9 HOURS AGO Evans criticised the LTA on the eve of Roland-Garros, suggesting Emma Raducanu's 2021 US Open win was «papering over the cracks» of a system that saw just three British players — all men — enter the main draw. But it was his own game that he rounded on following his defeat in Paris. «I've got my own battles to deal with right now on the court,» Evans began.

«I've got to get my game in a spot where I'm able to compete at this level. I've been very poor in the big tournaments this year. »[I had an] incredibly kind draw in Australia [at the Australian Open, where he reached the third round] and came through a few matches, but I've been poor in the Masters, the one good tournament this year.

«I said the other day there's some soul-searching. There will be plenty of that in Saint-Cloud tonight, wherever I am. [I've] got to get on and try and get my game in a good spot.

»It's shocking right now how I played. It's disappointing. I thought I was in a good spot coming in, but I felt like that the whole time.