Evans crashes birthday boy Lajovic’s party to advance into Wimbledon last 32

Party pooper Dan Evans burst Dusan Lajovic’s birthday balloons by battling into the third round of Wimbledon and revealed – I’m not bothered about playing perfect tennis.

The Birmingham ace topped Serbian Lajovic, 31 on Wednesday, in straight sets to book a date with either Seb Korda or Antoine Hoang in the last 32.

Evans, the British No.1, advanced with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory and now has a golden opportunity to reach the fourth round for the first time in his turbulent SW19 career.

And the 31-year-old said: “I'm happy to be through to the third round. It was a tough match and it's good to get it done in three straights.

“It could have turned out a little difficult in the end of that match, so it’s good to come through and in straights is an extra bonus.

“I don't think I played particularly amazing tennis today, but I got through the match with decent concentration and I found my tennis when I needed to the longer the match went on.

“I knew what I had to do today and that was getting myself through the match – and give myself another good chance in the third round.

“It's not all about playing perfect tennis all the time. I didn't serve great at 5-2 but bounced back at 5-4, after having match points in the game before that.”

The West Midlands star controlled the match on Court 1 and broke twice in a row to seal the first set.

And he followed that up by converting all four of his break points to go two up in rapid time.

The third set was a trickier affair as Lajovic broke with Evans serving for the match – but it only delayed the outcome as the Brit broke back one game later to seal the victory.

Evans added: “I think I've done a great job of getting through. I'm not playing my best tennis just yet, so hopefully, that is coming.

“I'm working hard, I'm trying to focus hard on finding it. I have another day on the practice courts tomorrow to get a bit more of feel.

“Hopefully in the third round, I play a bit cleaner out there and serve a little better and match by match to get a bit better would be good.

“I'm competing hard and staying focused which is a big part of the battle out there is to stay in the match especially three out of five sets.

“There are massive momentum switches and changes in the match, it is about keeping calm and concentrated and in the moment.”

Keep up to date with all the latest from tennis in Britain by following @the_LTA on Twitter, @LTA on Instagram, LTA – Tennis for Britain on Facebook and @lta on TikTok.