Dan Evans was left ruing what might have been after a heartbreaking five-set loss to Joao Sousa under the Court One roof in the third round of Wimbledon.
With Rafael Nadal waiting in the next round and Evans looking for his best result at the All England Club, the rewards were big but he was unable to take advantage of leads in all five sets as he fell to a 4-6 6-4 7-5 4-6 6-4 defeat after three hours and 56 minutes.
The 29-year-old hung over the net in despair after dumping a final backhand into it, but he was able to see the bigger picture.
What. A. Match. The first Portuguese player – man or woman – to reach the fourth round at #Wimbledon Joao Sousa defeats Dan Evans on No.1 Court to set up a fourth round tie against Rafael Nadal... pic.twitter.com/qkuvcrwhXA — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2019
Evans said: "Playing under the roof was an amazing experience. I loved every minute of it out there, apart from losing.
"Last year I wasn't here playing the tournament, so I have to put everything into perspective. Obviously I was banned, as well. To think I would be playing under the roof, I have to look back and just be happy how the year's gone.
"There's plenty more tennis in the year. Probably going onto my best surface now, as well.
"You want to get through those matches. Sort of things dreams are made of, isn't it? To play late night under the roof, your home crowd, it would have been good just to pull through. I couldn't."
Go on Evo! 🙌 @Wimbledon — Johanna Konta (@JohannaKonta) July 6, 2019
It was a contest full of tremendous shot-making, the power of the Sousa forehand against Evans' all-court talents, but the 29-year-old paid for not converting his early dominance and taking only seven of 24 break points.
While all the attention was on Andy Murray and Serena Williams' mixed doubles debut on Centre Court, real drama was being played out on Court One.
No one has won more matches on grass this season than Evans and, until a set and 4-2, he looked completely in control, Sousa throwing exasperated glances towards his box as everything he tried came back with interest.
But Evans was unable to get the crucial second break and Sousa hit back with a run of four straight games to take the second set.
The third was a similar story. This time Evans served for it but increasingly the match felt like it was on Sousa's racket.
Evans roused himself to force a decider played under the roof, the noise ramping up and the points becoming ever more extravagant, but ultimately it was Sousa who prevailed.
Well done #Sousa What a pass at 30-all. Outstanding willpower and fitness. Poor Dan. He'll be in bits. A performance and effort to be proud of. Sport exposes everything you have and all that you are. #Wimbledon — Andrew Castle (@AndrewCastle63) July 6, 2019
Evans felt his serve had let him down but insisted the 45-minute journey home was all he needed to put the loss behind him.
He said: "It has to be done, doesn't it? I can't go back and ruin everyone else's (evening). Just have to park it, then get on. It's not the end of the world. I lost. Joao was too good. It just hurts to lose that match really.
"Feeling sorry for myself is not going to do anything for anyone, is it? Just got to come through those matches if you want to be top 50, top 30. You've got to come through them. I was found wanting when I needed to find my serve in all five sets."
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