Dan Evans' singles career ends in Wimbledon qualifying loss

Dan Evans' 18-year professional singles career came to an end on Wednesday after a defeat in the second round of Wimbledon qualifying, a match disrupted by a power outage that halted play for over an hour amid extreme heat in London. The 36-year-old Briton, who had announced his retirement after the Championships, lost 7-5, 6-0 to Australian Tristan Schoolkate at the Roehampton qualifying venue.

Evans had entered the qualifying competition needing three victories to reach the Wimbledon main draw, after being controversially denied a singles wildcard. His loss meant he would not play a final singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. He will, however, still compete at Wimbledon in the men's doubles alongside Henry Searle, whom he is coaching.

The match was suspended after the first set when a temporary power loss disabled the electronic line-calling system across 18 courts. With temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius and a red weather warning in place, ball kids were withdrawn and replaced by adult court services staff. Players retreated to air-conditioned facilities during the delay, with Evans using an ice bath to cool down.

Upon resumption, Schoolkate, the world...