Britain’s Dan Evans suffered a defeat by world number two Carlos Alcaraz in a closely fought third-round tie at the Shanghai Masters.
Evans was up a break in each set but lost 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to the Spaniard in nearly two and a half hours.
He saved six break points – from 13 in the first set – during a fifth game that lasted nearly 20 minutes before losing the opener on a tie-break.
Evans was then broken when serving to stay in the match in the second set.
“It was a really tough match,” said Alcaraz.
“It was one of the toughest matches I have played outside of the Grand Slams.
“Every time I play Daniel it is a tricky match and I have to play my best to beat him. Both of us played a high quality of tennis and I am really happy to get through.”
Alcaraz will play Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8-6) 6-4, in the last 16.
At the Korea Open in Seoul, Britain’s Katie Boulter was beaten 6-4 6-4 in the first round by Kaja Juvan of Slovenia.
