DAN EVANS stopped his US Open showdown with Carlos Alcaraz – because he spotted a random person sat with his girlfriend in his box.
The British No2 took on the world No1 and defending champion in the third round inside the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
Sky Sports TennisDan Evans called for a random bloke to be evicted[/caption]
Sky Sports TennisThe British ace was baffled that the mystery man was sat in his player box[/caption]
GettyEvans is in a long-term relationship with girlfriend Aleah[/caption]
But late in the first, which he dropped 6-2, Evo gave himself a breather as he got distracted by a bizarre incident.
The gutsy Brummie ace, 33, suddenly halted a game in order to speak to French umpire Damien Dumusois and signal towards his camp in the stands.
And it quickly became clear that there was an unexpected intruder sitting alongside his team – including his glamorous girlfriend Aleah.
World No28 Evans said: “The guy in the front is not with me.
“The guy three [rows] up is not with me. With the camera out, he’s not with me.”
Dumusois looked rather baffled and unsure what to do.
On Sky Sports commentary for the US Open coverage, Jonathan Overend said: “Infiltrator in the player box and Dan isn’t happy.”
The cameras then cut to Evans’ box with various members of his entourage, led by experienced tennis coach Colin Beecher.
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Lo and behold, the team were looking baffled at a plucky fan in a cap and long-sleeve navy top with an accreditation lanyard around his neck.
The two stars played out another point before they cut back to the mystery man in the box.
Ex-British No1 Laura Robson added on Sky: “Someone rogue sat in the player box.
“I’m waiting for Beech to tell this bloke to move.”
And right on queue, the team ushered the fella away and he sheepishly got up to move a few seats further back into the regular crowd with the punters.
Fans watching the drama unfold from home could barely believe what they had seen.
One said: “Haha my man Dan Evans just threw an interloper out of his box from the far side of the court. Tremendous.”
Another wrote: “Well that’s a new one. Dan Evans noticed someone in his box that wasn’t supposed to be there and had him move back to the seat he was supposed to be in.”
A third added: “Never seen that before! Dan Evans stopped because someone was in his player box that shouldn’t have been, he moved after the next point. Most entertaining part of this match by a long way!”
Spaniard Alcaraz, 20, was in red-hot form as he produced some of his trademark power forehands to blitz through the second set 6-3, although Evans was putting up a valiant effort.
And the No26 seed upped his level once again to claim the third set and leave his Wimbledon champion opponent visibly frustrated.
Sky Sports TennisThe Evans team eventually ushered the fan, right, away[/caption]
GettyAleah is in New York to cheer on her partner[/caption]
ReutersCarlos Alcaraz showed plenty of class on Arthur Ashe Stadium[/caption]
AFPEvans put on a superb display to challenge the world No1[/caption]