| Venue: National Tennis Centre, Roehampton Date: 27 June Time: 13:00 BST |
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Andy Murray says British number one Dan Evans is the favourite when the pair meet in the Battle of the Brits semi-finals on Saturday.
Evans, 30, set himself up for his first career meeting against the three-time Grand Slam champion by clinching his third win in three group-stage matches.
Evans, ranked 28th in the world, won 6-2 3-6 10-4 against alternate Ryan Peniston on Friday.
“I like watching him and he plays really, really well,” Murray, 33, said.
“For me what is impressive about Dan is his ranking, I think that is a brilliant achievement.
“He will give himself opportunities, for sure, to get higher in the rankings because he will go out there and compete every single week.”
Former world number one Murray is playing his first tournament in seven months after a pelvic injury which he has described as “complex” and wanted to “test out” during this tournament.
After beating Liam Broady and a narrow defeat by Kyle Edmund, he earned another win against James Ward to set up the match against Evans.
“I would imagine he would go into the match as the favourite right now,” said the Scot.
“My hope is that in a few months when we are back on tour competing, that I will be up at that level and feeling a bit more that I will be going into those matches expecting to win.”
British number two Edmund will play Cameron Norrie in the other semi-final later on Saturday.
Edmund continues winning streak after celebrating until 2am
Edmund had already booked his place in Saturday’s semi-finals after beating Ward and Murray in his opening two matches.
The 25-year-old put in another strong performance against Broady, hitting 22 winners in a 6-3 6-3 win.
“I was watching the football last night and I was buzzing. I didn’t go to bed until about 2am watching all the videos,” said the Yorkshireman.
“But I had to remember I was a tennis player and try to concentrate. I was a bit tired this morning, but it was good. I played balanced tennis and did what I had to do.”
Norrie, the British number three who is ranked 77th in the world, sealed his place by outclassing 20-year-old Paul Jubb in a 6-0 6-2 victory.
With the ATP and WTA tours postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic, this event in Roehampton is providing some welcome competition for the leading British men.
The event, which also features a doubles tournament, has been organised by Jamie Murray and is raising £100,000 for the NHS Charities Together.
Evans and Lloyd Glasspool reached the doubles final with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 win over Ward and Edmund later on Friday.
The Birmingham pair will play Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski, who beat Joe Salisbury and Jonny O’Mara in the other semi-final, on Saturday.
Friday’s results and order of play
Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-3 Liam Broady
Dan Evans 6-2 3-6 10-4 Ryan Peniston
Cameron Norrie 6-0 6-2 Paul Jubb
Lloyd Glasspool/Dan Evans 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 James Ward/Kyle Edmund
Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski 7-6 (7-2) 2-6 10-8 Joe Salisbury/Jonny O’Mara
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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