It’s the final professional singles match before the Australian Open, and both Gilles Muller and Daniel Evans will be looking to continue their seamless preparation for the year’s first Grand Slam as they face off for the Sydney International championship. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and analysis.
Only two days remain before the Australian Open kicks off, but for both Muller and Evans, this match has far more significance than a simple practice match before the more important tournament commences.
A win in Sydney would be a maiden ATP title for both players, and with Muller to turn 34 in May and Evans 27 in the same month, it’s fair to say it would be a long-awaited triumph.
Despite being consistently there and thereabouts on the world tennis scene ever since a surprise quarter-final berth at the 2008 US Open, Luxembourg-born world No.34 Muller’s silverware cabinet remains empty.
His five ATP finals to date have all ended in defeats, and over a considerable time period – the fact that American legends Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, as well as Australian hero Lleyton Hewitt, have all bested him in finals around the world is evidence of how long he has been on the international circuit without a single triumph.
Nevertheless, his run to the Sydney International final has been impressive, downing second seed Pablo Cuevas in straight sets in the quarter-finals before stunning favourite Viktor Troicki in the semis, also in straight sets.
After being handed a nightmarish Australian Open draw, likely forcing him up against world No.3 Milos Raonic in the second round, a victory here could be the confidence boost he needs to tackle the early challenge at the Open head on.
His opponent in tonight’s clash, Englishman Daniel Evans, has also been around the tennis circuit for a while, though his most impressive achievement to date is being part of the 2015 Davis Cup-winning Great Britain team.
But Evans’ career has come along in leaps and bounds over the last nine months, notching up back-to-back third rounds appearances at last year’s Wimbledon and US Open championships, and he seems to have carried his form over into the new year.
He has had an excellent run in Sydney, besting top seed and world No.8 Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals despite conceding the opening set, before knocking over talented Russian Andrey Kuznetsov in three sets in the semis.
Like Muller, Evans will be up against it from very early on in the Australian Open, looking likely to come up against world No.7 Marin Cilic in the second round, but if his form so far in 2017 is anything to go by, he’s definitely got it in him to succeed.
Prediction
Both men have played some impressive tennis in the lead-up to this final, but Muller’s commanding performance yesterday over the highly-fancied Trocki and extra experience in finals should be enough to get him over the line.
Muller in 2 sets.
Tune into The Roar for live scores, highlights and analysis from 7:30pm (AEDT), and remember to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Tim Miller
Editor
Well, that's it from me. Another tip right, yippee! In case you missed it, Luxembourg-born Muller won his first ever final 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 over Brit Daniel Evans. Evans made some mistakes, but Muller was excellent too, particularly his swinging serves and wide forehands. Only two more sleeps before the Australian Open begins! I'm so excited! EXCITING!
Tim Miller
Editor
Johanna Konta brought the Brits some glory by winning the women's final last night, but Daniel Evans can't make it a double-triumph for the English tonight. He fell apart late in the second, when Muller's swinging forehand and serve frustrated Evans to the point of racquet-smashing, but he was well in that first set. In fact, he clawed back from a mini-break down in that decisive tie-break to take the lead briefly, before letting it go by. Muller's serve was excellent throughout, and he was only able to garner one break point throughout the match, but Evans will rue plenty of damaging unforced errors, particularly on his backhand, that really set him back. Nevertheless, the 26-year old can celebrate an excellent tournament, and head into the Australian Open with plenty of confidence. He played some terrific tennis in knocking out top seed and world number 8 Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals, and indeed throughout the tournament, despite dropping a set in every game. It's his maiden ATP final, and no doubt he'll learn from the experience. But tonight, it's all about Muller. Before tonight, he was the highest-ranked player on the tennis circuit without an ATP title. I'd have to say that's a record he'd be pleased to hand over. Evans made his mistakes, it's true, but the big Luxembourg 33-year old was just too good tonight. His serving game was superb throughout, and by the second set, he was able to make regular inroads into Evans' serve. But where he won it was in that decisive first set tie-break, when he fell 4-2 behind after conceding consecutive points on his serve. He needed to dig deep and stay calm, and that he did. And in the end, that was enough.
Tim Miller
Editor
Gilles Muller wins the Sydney International crown, his maiden ATP Championship, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 over Brit Daniel Evans. A heartwarming moment as the 33-year old Muller celebrates a milestone he probably thought would never come. He's lost to Hewitt, he's lost to Agassi, he's lost to Roddick in ATP finals. But finally, more than 12 years after first making a final, he gets that elusive piece of silverware. You can just see how much it means to him.
Tim Miller
Editor
His first serve sails well wide, but it doesn't matter! His second serve is at the body, and Evans can only parry a weak backhand into the net! Muller 7 6 Evans 6 2
Tim Miller
Editor
Evans still alive as Muller aims a backhand at the baseline, but sends it just long. One championship point left for Muller. 40-30
Tim Miller
Editor
He'll have to wait a bit longer! His second serve kisses the tape on the net and bounces long. Double fault. Probably won't matter, though. 40-15
Tim Miller
Editor
And again a strong serve-volley brings Muller a point closer, a wide serve that Evans can only parry back, and Muller puts away the volley into open court. Follows up with a quick wide serve that Evans can only bunt straight into the ground. 3 Championship Points for Muller, and haven't these 3 points been symbolic of Muller's game tonight? 40-0
Tim Miller
Editor
And he starts with an ace! A sizzler wide that Evans can only watch go by. Some quality angle off the racquet there from Muller. 15-0
Tim Miller
Editor
But Evans can't save the third, and it's another poor stroke choice that costs him. Looks for the easy winner with a backhand slice, but sends it into the net. And he slams the racquet on the ground in fury. Muller won't care, though; he has the double break and the set, and will serve next for his maiden ATP title. Muller 7 5 Evans 6 2
Tim Miller
Editor
But he saves one of them with a lovely wide serve with some serious power that Muller can only get a teensy bit of racquet on. And again he serve well with a deep serve near the T at 209kph. 30-40
Tim Miller
Editor
3 break points now for Muller, really dominating the court now. Comes up to the net and sends a slice wide to the Evans backhand. He's forced into a lob, but it sails well long. 0-40
Tim Miller
Editor
Muller goes 0-30 up as both men come up to the net looking to force the issue, some volleying ensures before Evans' backhand is netted. 0-30
Tim Miller
Editor
Cracks beginning to show in the Evans game, but this one's a more familiar one, a double fault. 0-15
Tim Miller
Editor
Again a simple hold for Muller, and brings it up in style with an 11th ace, this time a swinger perfectly placed down the T that Evans can't do diddly-squat about. Muller 7 4 Evans 6 2
Tim Miller
Editor
Again the serving game from Muller looks strong, as a lunging Evans is only able to send a backhand return off a wide serve well out. 40-15
Tim Miller
Editor
Evans showing signs of a meltdown now as he throws his racquet after mishitting a forehand and sending it long. 30-15
Tim Miller
Editor
Better from Evans, reads the wide serve and his return is right at the feet of the advancing Muller, who tries a half-volley but sends it wide. 15-15
Tim Miller
Editor
Muller's serving has been simply awesome tonight, and again it wins him a cheap point with a wide ace. 15-0
Tim Miller
Editor
Excellent from Evans, gets a backhand return from Muller right into the slot for a forehand down the line into open court and the Brit obliges. A relatively safe hold, but Muller still holds the decisive set-and-break lead. Muller 7 3 Evans 6 2
Tim Miller
Editor
A quality rally that, some very deep groundstrokes from both players before Evans puts too much power into a backhand and sends it long. 40-30