British tennis star Dan Evans will have his hands full when he faces defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for a spot in the fourth round at the 2023 US Open, but the former World No.21 remains undaunted ahead of their showdown.

The 26th seed advanced to the third round at Flushing Meadows for the sixth time in his career, recording a four-set win over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. With Alcaraz standing in his way, Evans will have to rely on his physical and mental prowess in order to move past the Spaniard.

"It’s a little annoying to have him in the top eight of the draw but it is what it is," said the 33-year old. “It will be a good match. I am really looking forward to it and will play aggressively. It’s a very difficult draw. He will obviously be the overwhelming favorite but it’s a good opportunity to play a very good tennis player on a big stage. That is why you play tennis.

“I don’t think about what ranking people are, I genuinely don’t. To put it frankly, they do what we all do when we get out of bed in the morning. They are very good at their sport, but they still get nervous. They just deal with it better than we do. That has helped me when I play the better players.

“Alcaraz is an unbelievable player, but there is no point in me going out there thinking; he is No 1 in the world, you have no right to be here. If I do that and I get into a position where I need to win a big point, I will have made myself nervous. I won’t be thinking he’s No 1 in the world and I can’t win this match. I’m thinking I need to get into a good position and give myself a chance to win."