Evans, despite a difficult season where he has struggled for form and fitness, is a reassuring presence in this British team.
He has dropped to outside the world’s 150 in recent months but, in front of a three-quarters full Manchester Arena, demonstrated his value to Smith’s squad.
Those watching would have been forgiven for thinking Evans would breeze past the unheralded Vasa, a regular on the bottom-rung Futures Tour.
However, the 27-year-old Vasa surprised the crowd – if not Evans – by playing well above his ranking.
Booming first serves of above 130mph were backed up by speedy second serves, while he asked questions of the Briton from the baseline in patient rallies.
Evans, who reached the US Open third round, fought off two break points in the first game before taking control.
His experience and nous told in the tie-break, playing with a touch more aggression to bring up four set points and pressure Vasa into a double fault on the third.
Evans accelerated in the second set and moved a double break ahead before serving out victory.
“It was a difficult match,” he said. “He played great at the start. I knew he would come out and play aggressive.
“I found it tough for a long time to get the ball-striking and I started to play better in the second and better at the end.”
