Brits claim QF places in Antwerp, Stockholm

Dan Evans had it easy while and Cam Norrie did it tough as a pair of British players advanced to quarter-final spots on Wednesday at ATP 250 events in Antwerp and Stockholm.

Evans, national No. 2 behind his compatriot moved through in 75 minutes with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over French outsider Constant Lestienne, serving the only ace of the match and breaking five times.

The fifth seed now owns 27 wins this season.

Norrie, seeded second in Sweden, needed to go the distance to finally get past Aslan Karatsev 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-4 after three hours of battle.

The Brit was out-aced seven to six by his opponent, but broke six times from 11 chances.

“It was a tough match,” Norrie said. “Every time Aslan was down he raised his level and he really stole that first set from me.

“I had a couple of set points and I didn’t execute as well as I could have done in the tie-break. 

“I stayed solid and I was a bit frustrated in the third set but I managed to claw it back. I feel good and fresh.”

Norrie improved to 47-23 on the season and remains technically in the race (provisional 12th) for a possible spot at next month’s eight-man ATP Finals in Turin.

Main photo: Cam Norrie winning in Stockholm by ATPTour.com