Dan Evans in X-rated rant at umpire after controversial call at the Italian Open as British ace crashes out in first round against home favourite Fabio Fognini from slapping butte Watch Video

⏲ Duration: 1:4
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✓ Published: 11-May-2024

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British star Dan Evans was involved in a blazing row with the umpire before crashing out in the first round at the Italian Open.<br/><br/>The 33-year-old launched into a furious tirade at Italian Open umpire Mohamed Lahyani and earned a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct during his match with home favorite Fabio Fognini <br/><br/>Evans was on the verge of breaking serve in the deciding set when Fognini appeared to have slapped a drive volley wide.<br/><br/>Lahyani insisted that the ball was in, pointing to a mark in the clay which — according to Hawk-Eye evidence — was not the one left by Fognini’s shot.<br/><br/>An irate Evans even pleaded with Fognini to tell the umpire the call was wrong.<br/><br/>Lahyani stood firm and said: 'It's catching the back of the line'<br/><br/>To which, Evans, now talking to Fognini said: 'He can't even see where the ball is!'<br/><br/>The argument continued after replays confirmed the ball was out, despite this, Lahyani stuck to his original call.<br/><br/>Evans said: 'You couldn't show me the mark… it didn't hit the line'.<br/><br/>Lahyani replied: 'Don't swear.'<br/><br/>Evans continued: 'All I'm asking is for you to show me where the ball landed but you couldn't because you didn't know. It's over, forget it. Can you tell me why I had unsportsmanlike conduct?'<br/><br/>Lahyani answered: 'Yes, because you have used the F-word today. I agree [that Evans had his point of view] but you don't shout at me and use the F-word. If you had talked to me in a normal way I would have accepted it.'<br/><br/>While the argument went on, the boos for Evans from the crowd grew louder.<br/><br/>Evans would eventually lose the game 4-6, 6-3, 2-6.<br/>