Dan Evans admitted he was beaten by the better man after being eliminated from the LTA’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy in the Round of 16 by powerful 21-year-old Gabriel Diallo.
Diallo’s intimidating frame and powerful service game were too much for the British No.2 who fell to a 7-5 6-2 defeat in stunning sunshine in West London.
The Canadian will now play Jurij Rodionov in the quarterfinals following his 6-2 6-4 triumph over Christopher Eubanks.
And Evans expects big things from the World No.146 in the years to come.
“I knew what to expect and he was better than me, that is the bottom line.
“He was better today and that is the tale of the tape as they say.
“I saw him practice in Australia this year; I knew he was obviously thought very highly of.
“His coach is a very good coach, and they don’t put the coach with the guy unless they think very highly of him.
“I am not sure his height, but serving like that with that technique, it was always going to be dangerous to play and he was pretty good from the back.
“I said in the press after the first round, I have come here to try to win the tournament, but it was a chance to get some good work in on the grass and in the gym.”
Evans will now regroup and go again ahead of an exciting grass-court season.
He added: “I need to take advantage of losing now, it is a chance to work on my game, get in the gym and get moving on the grass a bit.
“He played some pretty free-swinging tennis and that was too good by him.
“I didn’t serve well in difficult conditions, it was very windy and then on top, he is obviously going to be a very good tennis player.
“He already is.”
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