Dan Evans exits French Open as his frustrating run of losses continues
The British number three was left in a flap by Holger Rune, the umpire and a pigeon at Roland Garros.
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Dan Evans was left in a flap by Holger Rune, the umpire and a pigeon as he exited the French Open in the first round again.
The British number three was startled by a bird and rowed furiously with chair official Jaume Campistol before being sent packing by Danish 13th seed Rune 6-4 6-4 6-4.
The flashpoint came in the third set after Rune was warned for smashing his racket against the ground and argued his case.
In the next game Evans, a break up, was waiting to serve when Rune disputed a line call, prompting another lengthy discussion.
Evans was immediately broken and lost his rag, fuming: “He doesn’t need a conversation on my serve. Let the f****** match play.
“Do your job! You don’t have to have a conversation with him. It’s twice in two games. Madness.”
Earlier, in the second set, Evans had to take evasive action after he was dive-bombed by a pigeon.
Roland Garros chiefs are so pleased with the new roof they had installed on Court Suzanne Lenglen that they gave it an inauguration ceremony at the weekend.
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Evans could at least force a smile as the ‘clay pigeon’ landed on the baseline and Rune and a ball kid shooed it away.
But was Rune who homed in on victory to condemn Evans to a sixth first-round defeat in seven visits to Paris.
It was also a seventh straight loss and a 16th since the turn of the year, leaving Evans slipping down the pecking order in the rankings.