Kecmanovic broke Evans twice in the 39-minute first set, but the Briton hit back at the start of the second, and celebrated with a massive fist pump.
Evans raised his game in the second set, getting 80% of his first serves in compared with 63% in the first and recording four aces. After being denied three set points, he took the fourth to force a decider.
He needed treatment to his right foot before third set commenced, but then broke Kecmanovic in the first game with a timely stroke of luck – the ball catching the net cord and dropping dead over the other side as the Serb could only look on exasperated.
Both men were below their best in the decider exchanging four successive breaks of serve, however Evans eventually held his nerve to serve out the match.
Ultimately he was more consistent than his higher-ranked opponent – Kecmanovic hit 33 winners to Evans’ 22, but the Serb’s 42 unforced errors were almost double the number made by the Briton.
Evans will play American second seed Tommy Paul in the next round.
It was good news for the Britons in the women’s singles too, as UK number five Francesca Jones beat Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-4 7-5.
There was a major upset elsewhere in the women’s competition as top seed Daria Kasatkina was dumped out in round one by world number 46 Lulu Sun.
Reigning champion Kasatkina, representing Australia, was defeated 7-5 2-6 6-3 by the New Zealander.
Amid strong winds in Eastbourne, Kasatkina was badly out of sorts with 11 double faults.
“I was just going to give it my all, the conditions were tricky so anything could happen – the ball was swirling around!” said former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Sun.
“I just gave it 100%. It’s a great first match to win, I’m really happy with that.”
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