Dan Evans will rise to 31 in the world rankings on Monday ahead of competing at Queen's Club where he will face Matteo Berrettini, who beat Andy Murray in the final of Sunday's Stuttgart Open
Monday 13 June 2022 16:09, UK
Dan Evans defeated Jordan Thompson to win the Nottingham Open for the second time in three years as he continued his preparations for Wimbledon.
The British No 2 dropped down to the second-tier Challenger Tour to begin his grass-court season and reaped the benefits by reclaiming the title he won in 2019.
Evans did not drop a set all week, finishing off his title run with a 6-4 6-4 victory against Australian Thompson, who won the Challenger title in Surbiton last week.
The 32-year-old will climb four places in the rankings on Monday from 35 to 31 and will hope to continue his strong form at the cinch Championships at Queen's Club, where he takes on defending champion Matteo Berrettini in the first round.
"It was a good match. Thommo's had a great two weeks. It's not easy playing a good friend," said Evans.
"It was nice to see him in the final again. I couldn't let him take back-to-backs. I'd hear too much about it. It's a great week. I love it here.
"The quality of players here is always very high. It does make me feel very good to win. I've got a tough match next week and it's time to go down to London and prepare."
Evans is one of seven British players in the main draw at Queen's, with 22-year-old Paul Jubb producing one of the best results of his career by defeating Steve Johnson to qualify.
In the WTA Tour event in Nottingham, the title was taken by Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, who defeated Alison Riske 6-4 1-6 6-3.
It was a first tour-level title for 26-year-old Haddad Maia, who knocked out top-seed Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals.
The trophy, which is named after much-missed former British No 1 Elena Baltacha, was handed to Haddad Maia by last year's champion Johanna Konta. Konta, who retired from the sport at the end of last year, is expecting her first child.
