Britain’s Dan Evans continued his poor document on the Italian Open after a marathon three-set second-round defeat by Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.
The British quantity two was crushed 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 6-4 in three hours and 48 minutes – the longest best-of-three-set match of the season to date.
Evans, the twentieth seed, had a bye in spherical one and has by no means received a major draw match within the Rome occasion.
He’s additionally but to win a Masters Sequence match this 12 months.
Evans had led 5-2 within the first set and served for it however Carballes Baena, who received in three units after they met in Marrakech final month, rallied to take a 6-5 lead earlier than a rain interruption.
On the resumption, Evans managed to interrupt his opponent and drive a tie-break however the world quantity 51 at all times had that bit additional with the rain always threatening.
The second set proved tight till Carballes Baena, the world quantity 51, performed a free service sport at 5-5, enabling Evans to interrupt after which finally serve out the set and degree the match.
The deciding set was as shut however enjoying after three strong service video games in a row, it was Evans whose nerve failed first and a few unforced errors and a double fault on match level handed the win to his opponent.
Earlier, world quantity two Carlos Alcaraz had a sluggish begin earlier than beating unseeded Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4 6-1 on his Rome debut to make sure he’ll take over as world primary from Novak Djokovic on 22 Could.
Alcaraz, who received in Barcelona and Madrid, is aiming for his fifth title of 2023 and fourth on clay earlier than the French Open.
The 20-year-old was damaged early however levelled it up at 2-2 earlier than incomes one other likelihood to interrupt Ramos-Vinolas in an intense tenth sport and took the benefit within the match when his compatriot lastly cracked below the strain and despatched a forehand lengthy.
“The primary spherical of each event is admittedly powerful and, in fact, Ramos-Vinolas is a specialist on clay,” mentioned Alcaraz. “I needed to adapt my sport shortly to have the ability to undergo.
“The circumstances weren’t straightforward, the rain and the ready all day to know if I am going to have the ability to play however I am actually pleased with my efficiency ultimately.”
