The Asian series was going so smoothly up until the China Open. The opening round matches went just like planned, but there was a drawback in one of the matches. It was between Daniel Evans and Jannik Sinner. Evans was using his backhand slice to slow down the rallies while Sinner hit every ball like a probable winner. Sinner was not feeling well, so Evans decided to make fun of the Italian.
In the third set, Sinner needed medical attention as he looked in pain. Evans acted like he was in pain, too, as he limped on the court for a second before giving out a smile. Fans were offended by his act; one fan commented, “are we really surprised?? dan evans is a xenophobic asshole. this is par for the course for home. he is above nothing.” The Brit player is yet to comment on the incident.
are we really surprised?? dan evans is a xenophobic asshole. this is par for the course for home. he is above nothing https://t.co/r3l6rQdaGm
— BB Fanatic || standingwitholya&chiara (@bblegend21) September 29, 2023
What a dixkhead
— Le_tep (@LeTepavac) September 29, 2023
One fan even suggested that Evans should be fined for his behavior. The fan commented ” Evans should be fined for that. That is abuse.” Meanwhile, Sinner has also not said anything about the issue.
Evans should be fined for that. That is abuse.
— Shane Williams (@shw101) September 29, 2023
Sinner appeared to have pain in his thigh as he has been struggling in the last few months. The Italian had avoided playing at the Davis Cup this time due to the tour taking a toll on his body. Sinner also had cramps during the US Open in the fourth-round controversial match against Alexander Zverev. The 22-year-old was playing his first match since then and somehow managed to overcome physical pain against Evans.
Jannik Sinner fights through pain to enter the 4th round at China Open
Sinner had to go through excruciating pain in his debut at the China Open. He was playing for the first time against Evans. It was a battle of backhand slices and powerful groundstrokes. The spectators were witnessing quite the opposite shot variations between the players for three hours. Sinner began the match with superfast serves, which went up to 135 miles per hour.
Sinner hit three aces and only lost four points in his first serve to take the lead. In the second set, Evans successfully managed to get around the volleys and did not lose a single point while coming forward. This year’s Wimbledon semifinalist took a 5-3 lead, but his legs could not keep up in the rallies. The 33-year-old took control and caught up the lead to take the set in a tiebreaker.
Sinner looked in trouble as Evans started hitting powerful forehands down the line. After the medical intervention, the world No.7 looked back in form to take a 3-0 lead. Evans was down and out as he lost the match 4-6, 7-6(7-2), 6-3. Sinner will take sufficient rest to make sure he is 100 percent fit in the next match. He will face Yoshihito Nishioka for a place in the quarterfinals of the China Open.
