LONDON: Frances Tiafoe fell to a first round exit at Queen鈥檚 Club on Monday as veteran Brit Dan Evans rolled back the years, while fourth seed Holger Rune eased through.

Evans, who needed a wildcard for his place in the draw after sliding to 199 in the world rankings, proved too good for the seventh seed in a 7-5, 6-2 win.

鈥淚 still believed I鈥檝e got that tennis in me and I still believe I can do good things inside the top 100. But believing it and it happening is a lot different,鈥� said Evans after winning the first men鈥檚 match on the newly-christened Andy Murray Arena.

The 35-year-old was a fitting victor as he had partnered Murray in his final match before retirement in the men鈥檚 doubles at the Paris Olympics.

鈥淎 few people mentioned it, that I had finished with him in his last match and then played the men鈥檚 event, the first match,鈥� added Evans.

鈥淚t was pretty cool to do that.鈥�

Rune had no such problems as the Dane eased into his grass court season with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Australian lucky loser Christopher O鈥機onnell.

British No. 2 Jacob Fearnley joined Evans in round two after he made short work of Australia鈥檚 Alex Bolt with a 6-2 6-4 victory.

But there was disappointment for another home favorite in Cameron Norrie, who was beaten 7-6 (8/6) 1-6 6-1 by Czech rising star Jakub Mensik.

The 19-year-old, who beat Novak Djokovic to win the Miami Masters in March, next faces Roberto Bautista Agut, who edged out Nuno Borges 6-7 (6/8), 7-5, 6-4.

Qualifier Mackenzie McDonald got the better of 38-year-old Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4.

Carlos Alcaraz plays for the first time since his remarkable French Open victory over Jannik Sinner on Tuesday when he begins his quest for a second title at Queen鈥檚 against fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.