Tomic faces spicy third-round Open clash

At first glance, the shock early elimination of No.7 seed Marin Cilic appears to have opened up the Australian Open draw in dream style for Bernard Tomic.

But the reality may well turn out to be much more sobering, with Brit Dan Evans – now finally delivering on his undoubted potential – awaiting Australia’s only remaining men’s seed in the third round on Friday.

The pair have history, with Evans taking much delight in ousting Tomic from the 2013 US Open, a year after the Australian’s coach and father John had said he was not good enough to even practise with his son.

Their most recent meeting came at the 2015 Davis Cup semi-final in Glasgow, with Tomic prevailing in four tight sets.

The career of the former bad boy of British tennis has been on an upwards curve ever since.

He was one point away from eliminating eventual champion Stan Wawrinka at the US Open last September and arrived at Melbourne Park with a career-high ranking of 51 having reached the final of the Sydney International.

Evans was under the pump early in Wednesday night’s second-round encounter against 2014 US Open champ Cilic before upping the ante to win 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-3.

“I knew I could win, but there’s no point sprouting off (beforehand) that I could win,” said Evans.

“He was giving me a good hiding at the start.”

Both Evans and the 27th-seeded Tomic declined to revisit John Tomic’s sledge.

“I have no problem with (Evans) at all,” said Bernard.

“He has no problem with me. He’s a nice guy.

“I congratulate him for the third round, and I’m playing the third round.”

The Australian advanced to the last 32 with a tough four-set win over veteran Victor Estrella Burgos from the Dominican Republic, setting up the encounter with Evans.

“He’s not easy to play – he’s awkward,” said Tomic, who boasts a similarly funky playing style.

” … He goes for it. He plays amazing.

“He just made the final of Sydney and has nothing to lose.

“He’s playing the best tennis of his life.”

The winner will play former Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or American Jack Sock in the fourth round.

Tomic has made it through to the round of 16 at his home grand slam in three of the previous five years without ever progressing any further.

Evans had also been scheduled to play in the men’s doubles with Nick Kyrgios at Melbourne Park, but that plan went out the window in the wake of the Australian’s singles meltdown against Andreas Seppi.

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