Doha (AFP)
Britain's Daniel Evans (28th in the world) qualified for the 2nd round of the ATP 250 tournament in Doha on Tuesday, where he will have the honor of being Roger Federer's first opponent for the Swiss return to competition after thirteen months. absence.
Evans dismissed the French Jérémy Chardy (54th) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 in the first round, under the eyes of Federer, briefly installed in the stands alongside his coach Ivan Ljubicic.
Still ranked 6th in the ATP, Federer was exempt from the first round and will return to competition on Wednesday, more than 400 days after his last official match, his semi-final of the 2020 Australian Open lost to Novak Djokovic.
Meanwhile, the Swiss, who will turn 40 in August, has had two right knee surgery.
But he appeared very "happy" and enthusiastic about returning to competition.
"Tennis is like cycling: I know how to do it", he assured at a press conference before the start of the tournament, explaining that his only uncertainty concerned the response of his knee to the sequence of matches .
This comeback after 13 months and two surgeries, "it shows how much he loves the sport and that he thinks he can still do great things. I don't think he's here to win 250 tournaments, with all due respect I owe these tournaments. I think his goals are higher than just winning on the tour. So it's good that he's back here for the tournament, but it's mostly good for him and for the tennis: it allows us to see him again and I think he can still do well in Grand Slams, "said Evans.
The British player is one of those who knows best where Federer is because he has been training with him for two weeks.
"He appeared to me to be in good shape in training. If he's really in good shape, it's going to be difficult for me. But I'm going to take advantage, I think there will be as many fans as there can be. have (depending on health measures, editor's note) and it's always nice to play at night, especially against a player like Roger, "said Evans.
© 2021 AFP