Dan Evans reaches Nottingham Challenger semi-finals

Dan Evans has progressed through to the Nottingham Challenger semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Brayden Schnur.

The former British number two has impressed since returning to the sport after a year-long drugs ban, and the Birmingham-based player has given himself a chance of making the final in the East Midlands with a 7-6 6-3 victory.

Both players dominated on serve during the opening set before Evans edged a tie-break 7-5, and although Schnur had joy on Evans's delivery in the second, it was the home favourite who secured the one and only break.

After prevailing in one hour and 43 minutes, Evans will now play Spain's Marcel Granollers but there was disappointment for British compatriot James Ward.

The Londoner is closing in on the world's top 350 after injury, but Ilya Ivashka saved each of Ward's six break-point opportunities on the way to a 6-4 6-3 win.