SOLIHULL’S Dan Evans suffered a straight sets defeat in the first round of qualifying at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Evans missed out on the main draw at the Australian Open for the second successive year following a 6-1, 6-2 defeat against Japan’s Rei Sakamoto.
The 35-year-old, who’s best showing in Melbourne saw him reach round four in 2017, struggled with his serve throughout and recorded four double faults.
Japanese teenager Sakamoto has never reached the main draw of a Grand Slam after losing in the second round of qualifying at last year’s US Open.
