LONDON, June 15, 2018 (Press Release)
Dan Evans and Jay Clarke have been given wild cards into the main draw of the Fever-Tree Championships.
Evans has won 15 of the 18 matches he has played since returning to the sport, culminating in a semifinal appearance at the Nature Valley Open in Nottingham this week. He was given a wild card into qualifying in the Glasgow Challenger to start his comeback, and reached the main draw. He then successfully qualified in Loughborough, and won six matches on grass in Surbiton – qualifying and reaching the semifinals. He received a special exempt entry into the main draw in Nottingham because he was playing in the Surbiton semifinals, and has beaten three players to make the final four.
Clarke, 19, has enjoyed an impressive rise up the rankings since transitioning from the junior game. He reached back-to-back futures finals in Qatar in March, and a challenger quarterfinal after qualifying in Sarasota in April. He currently sits at World No. 220.
Leon Smith, LTA Head of Men’s Tennis and GB Davis Cup Captain, said: “Dan has been highly committed and focused since his return and his form has been excellent with back-to-back semi-finals on grass in Surbiton and Nottingham. We gave him a qualifying wild card in Glasgow to help him at the start of his comeback and he took full advantage with some excellent wins. Those results meant that he could get into the Loughborough, Surbiton and Nottingham events, and after more good results, a main draw wild card is now the next step for him as he tries to rebuild his career.”
Del Potro withdraws
Juan Martin del Potro has withdrawn from the tournament after receiving medical advice to rest an ongoing injury to his adductor. Del Potro said: “I am sad I will not be playing in Queens this year. I was really excited to play and I hope to be back next year.”
The main draw will be made at 12 Noon on Saturday. Andy Murray still hopes to be in it. After practising on-site at The Queen’s Club for much of the afternoon, he will make a final decision on Saturday morning. To see video footage of his practise session, please go to our Facebook page.
