BRITISH number five Dan Evans battled back from a set down to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the Eastbourne Open today.

The 35-year-old, who has received a wild card for Wimbledon, triumphed 3-6 6-4 6-4 against the Serbian world number 49.

He will face American second seed Tommy Paul – the 2023 runner-up – in round two.

Evans, ranked 170 in the world, arrived at Devonshire Park having last week celebrated the best grass-court win of his career with victory over world number 13 Frances Tiafoe in the first round at Queen’s Club.

“For whatever time I have left, it’s a work in progress,” he told the BBC. “Me and my coach have been working hard on certain things, like everybody else does, but sometimes it takes time.

“I’ve been battling away to try and get the level on the court and it’s a bit strange that it’s happened in England but funny things happen, don’t they?

“I’m feeling really confident and probably the most confident I’ve been on the grass for a long time.”

In the women’s draw, British number five Fran Jones registered a straight-sets victory over Belgian world number 70 Greet Minnen.

The 24-year-old wild card entrant progressed 6-4 7-5 in an hour and 48 minutes.

She will take on either Polish fifth seed Magda Linette or Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in round two.