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Dan Evans pushed world number one Carlos Alcaraz all the way before bowing out of the US Open following a breathtaking third-round match.<\/p>\n
The defending champion had to dip into his armoury of explosive winners to finally see off the British number two inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\n
The last time Evans played the top-ranked player he rose to the occasion, beating Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo three years ago.<\/p>\n
And the 26th seed brought the very best out of the 20-year-old Wimbledon champion before succumbing 6-2 6-3 4-6 6-3.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s still tough, a very frustrating afternoon but my tennis is in a good spot and that\u2019s important\u201d said Evans.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz dominated the first set, constantly pushing his opponent to the back of the court and hitting 14 winners to Evans\u2019 four.<\/p>\n
But he showed he is not infallible at the start of the second after a double-fault gave Evans, who was beginning to relish the challenge, a break point which he converted with a superb backhand down the line.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz quickly retrieved the break and a frustrated Evans was given a code violation after slicing the ball into the crowd after netting a volley at 15-30 up on the Spaniard\u2019s serve.<\/p>\n
Evans was playing well, but Alcaraz simply raised his level and brought up set point with a blistering forehand down the line which brought gasps from the spectators.<\/p>\n
Evans saved that one, but could do nothing with the next after an exquisite lob and simple volley put Alcaraz two sets up.<\/p>\n
Never one to give up without a fight, Evans promptly played one of the best sets of his career.<\/p>\n
He broke for 4-3 and, serving for the set, forced Alcaraz into some of the most outrageous clutch winners.<\/p>\n
The pair, who played golf together at Wimbledon, frequently exchanged knowing looks and grins, such was the quality of the cat-and-mouse tennis on show.<\/p>\n
It took Evans, 33, five set points to make the breakthrough, prompting a suddenly exasperated Alcaraz to slam his racket down in frustration.<\/p>\n
But Alcaraz turned the match back in his favour with another stunning shot on break point. On the run and at full stretch, he unleashed a forehand down the line which clipped the baseline and left Evans stood, hands on hips, in sheer disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of the time you win that point but with the top guys it seems to happen to them,\u201d added Evans.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t see that too often on one of the outside courts. That\u2019s just how it feels.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was a pretty entertaining match. The result wasn\u2019t enjoyable but you don\u2019t have to be stern-faced the whole time on a tennis court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two aces, another sensational lob onto the baseline and a 61st winner of the match finished Evans off, but Alcaraz knew he had been in a contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a tricky opponent, great slices, good touch and it\u2019s my game as well so it was a pretty good match,\u201d said Alcaraz.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe made great points, great shots, a lot of different situations, so I\u2019m really happy to get through.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played some great points that made us smile, Dan as well. It\u2019s great to see Dan and I on a tennis court, we tried to entertain and make the match fun.\u201d<\/p>\n