British duo Moore and Evans bow out after first week

Doncaster’s Moore battled hard but eventually succumbed in yesterday’s second-round clash, with two-time major title winner Kuznetsova prevailing 6-1 2-6 6-3.

World No 227 Moore belied the clear chasm in ranking against the globe’s 14th-rated star despite her defeat, admitting she will depart SW19 in good spirits.

“I definitely have shown I’m ready to be here,” said Moore, who registered her maiden Wimbledon victory with her first-round triumph over Alison Van Uytvanck.

Kuznetsova will now meet either 18th seed Sloane Stephens or Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella in the third round, while Moore will set about aiming to qualify for next year’s tournament on merit alone.

“This is my next step,” said Moore, when setting sights on qualifying next year.

“I’m definitely going to take the next step to try to be here on my own merit as well.

“I think sometimes I can go really, really well, like it did in the second set.

“I like to be aggressive and I like to take my game to the opponent.”

Elsewhere, Roger Federer ended the hopes of a British player for the second successive round with a comprehensive defeat of Dan Evans on Centre Court.

Federer played the straight man in Wednesday’s extraordinary Marcus Willis show and was in no mood to give the home fans any encouragement here.

The match did not begin until after 7.30pm after two long contests and Federer needed only an hour and 27 minutes to win 6-4 6-2 6-2.

Evans made a nervous start on serve and in no time found himself 4-0 down.

He won three games in a row but the deficit was just too great and Federer served out the first set.

What Evans needed was to take his momentum into the second but Federer played a brilliant game to break to love in the opener and was soon 4-0 up again.

The British No 4 began the third set very brightly, earning a clap from Federer for a forehand winner that gave him the first game.

But Federer then reeled off five games in a row and clinched victory when Evans put a return wide to set up a fourth-round clash with either Grigor Dimitrov or Steve Johnson.