Monte Carlo Masters: Dan Evans heading home early after first-round drubbing:

Dan Evans, who lost in Marrakech last week, suffers an early exit in Monte Carlo with British No 1 Cameron Norrie in action later on Monday; you can watch over 80 tournaments a year, including the US Open, exclusively live on Sky Sports Tennis

Dan Evans of Great Britain reacts against Sebastian Ofner of Austria during the Men's Singles First Round match on day two of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 08, 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.

:Dan Evans suffered a disappointing defeat to Sebastian Ofner in Monte Carlo on Monday

Britain’s Dan Evans suffered another early exit on clay as he suffered a 6-1 6-4 drubbing at the hands of Sebastian Ofner at the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday.

Evans’ woes on clay continued as he fell to Austrian world No 44 Ofner after 68 minutes at the prestigious ATP 1000 event on the Côte d’Azur.The British No 3, who was beaten in his first match on the dirt by Roberto Carballes Baena at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakesh last week, was outplayed by the big-swinging Ofner.

Evans had break point chances in the opening game of the match but after failing to take any of them, he went on to drop four games in a set which he went on to lose 6-1.

He improved in the next set but again dropped serve early on and was chasing from then on.

With just under an hour and 10 minutes on the clock, Ofner was serving for the match but offered Evans a glimmer of hope with a break point chance following a stunning 26-shot rally.

However, the 27-year-old Austrian saved it and regained his composure to seal his place in the second round against Alexander Zverev.

Evans has won just three out of 11 matches he has played in what has been a disappointing start to the season.

He is yet to win back-to-back matches on tour in 2024, losing in the first round and second round respectively at the recent ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami before going out early in Marrakesh.

Delgado: Disappointing match for Evans

“He had those break points in the first game of the match and again in the last one, and had he taken the last one the game could have gone either way. You could see Ofner just slightly tightening up,” said Andy Murray’s former coach Jamie Delgado on Sky Sports Tennis.

“Ofner served great and in all honesty he deserved the win, he played a good controlled match and dictated play.”

“Dan’s second serve points won picked up in the second set but it was a big problem for him winning the baseline rallies,” said Delgado.

“He never really got into Ofner’s service game. He was a deserved winner.”

The clay court season continues at the Monte Carlo Masters this week – live on S Tennis from 10am, Tuesday – one of the biggest tournaments in the lead-up to the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open, which starts on May 20.

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