Britain’s Dan Evans was furious as he was accused of ‘cheating’ during the first round doubles match at Roland Garros on Wednesday.
Evans, and partner Hubert Hurkacz, faced Dutchman Matwe Middelkoop and Brazilian Marcel Demoliner in the opening round of doubles.
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In the seventh game of the third set, a Middelkoop backhand landed out, giving Evans and Hurkacz a 5-2 lead. But the Dutchman claimed that the ball had brushed Evans on the way. Evans denied the ball had hit him, and the umpire ruled in the Brit’s favour.
Fucking love Evans haha https://t.co/NJVBPXmbhL
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 30, 2020
Furious at not being trusted by Middelkoop over a line call, Evans confronted the Dutchman. They had to be separated by umpire Arnaud Gabas.
“I’d say I’m pretty fair,” the Brit said. “For me that there is as good as calling me a cheat, which is disgusting. And I won’t let that go and that’s why I told him when we went 5-2 up.
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“That there is as good as calling me a cheat, which is disgusting. I won’t let that go and that is why I told him. I was pretty angry.”
Middlekoop tried to calm the waters, offering Evans a fist bump after the break but Evans pushed him out of the way.
“There’s one thing that us Brits are is too fair in my opinion,” Evans added.
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“I would say if it hit me. I don’t think it hit me. It’s embarrassing chat from the pair of them. It’s desperation in my opinion. I’m still seething.”
Despite the distraction, Evans-Hurkacz battled to a 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-5 victory. They will next take on second seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
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