Dan Evans sealed his third Rothesay Open Nottingham final after beating former World No. 8 Jack Sock from the United States 7-5, 6-3. The 32-year-old Birmingham native now ties the record for singles finals appearances with Brit Johanna Konta and Swede Jonas Bjorkman. It will be the British No. 2’s first title match since his maiden ATP tour triumph at the Murray River Open in February 2021.

Evans, top seed of the ATP Challenger Tour €134,920 grass-court event, had not been broken in the tournament before meeting Sock, but was broken early in the opening set and then again in the second. Evans persevered and avenged his straight-sets defeat to Sock from 2016 after one hour and 55 minutes.

“I was a little nervous. I knew it was going to be a tough match and it was my toughest one so far. We both played well, but I nicked a few points here and there. Every time I get the chance to play on Centre Court is a real pleasure. The fans made the match even better,” said Evans, who will face Jordan Thompson in the championship match.

The No. 3 seed of Australia beat his compatriot and fifth favourite Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and nine minutes. Thompson, fresh off his victory at the LTA Surbiton Trophy six days ago, made light work of Popyrin who hadn’t dropped a set prior to the semi-final. Thompson is currently on a nine-match win streak which is his best run since late 2018.

Evans and Thompson have never met on the ATP tour, but the Brit has two grass-court victories at Futures events.

In other action, Britons Jonny O’Mara and Ken Skupski claimed the doubles crown in one hour and 16 minutes after beating fellow-British duo Julian Cash and Henry Patten 3-6, 6-2, 16-14. Cash and Patten had won their last 19 matches before falling in the final. Doubles veteran Skupski is now the leading title-holder in Nottingham after winning his fourth this afternoon.