by Evans has been a reassuring presence in the British team despite a difficult season in which he struggled with form and fitness.
In recent months he has slipped beyond the 150-metre mark, but in front of a three-quarter full Manchester Arena he showed just how valuable he is to Smith’s team.
Spectators might have thought that Evans would effortlessly outpace the unknown Vasa, a regular on the Futures Tour who was at the bottom of the rankings.
However, the 27-year-old Vasa surprised the audience – and perhaps Evans – by playing well above his own level.
The first serves, at speeds in excess of 209km/h, were supported by fast second serves as he questioned the Briton from the baseline in patient rallies.
Evans, who reached the third round of the US Open, managed to deal with two break points in the first game before taking control.
His experience and insight showed in the tiebreak, where he played with a bit more aggression and won four set points, putting pressure on Vasa to make a double fault in the third set.
Evans accelerated in the second set, taking a double break lead before sealing victory.
“It was a tough game,” he said. “He played great at the beginning. I knew he was going to be aggressive.
“I found it difficult to hit the ball well for a long time, but in the second half I started playing better and better and also at the end.”
