Dan Evans defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori for the first time in eight years to reach the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The British No.1 fought back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. He will face Diego Schwartzman next.
“There weren’t many errors out there. Trying to put my game on Kei was tough. It was difficult but I’m happy to come through,” Evans said.
Nishikori got the better of three breaks of serve to take the opening set before Evans fought back to win the second.
Both players had to receive treatment for blisters during the match as Nishikori took control early in the third set.
Then a break of serve to give Evans a 4-3 was the catalyst to move on and finish off the match, after two hours and 47 minutes of play.
Fellow Brit Cam Norrie was also in superb form, following up his success in San Diego, where he made the final last week. He too made it through to the third round, with a 6-4 5-7 6-0 victory over American Tennys Sandgren.
