03 September 2023 , 07:30
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The team of Dan Evans had to kick out a US Open spectator who sat in the wrong seat, in their player box, during his match against Carlos Alcaraz.
During the contest, Evans noticed an unknown individual in his players' box. He attempted to direct his team to move the unexpected guest to an appropriate seat, providing some comic relief to the fans inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But the spectator had not relocated, leaving Evans dissatisfied and with no choice but to approach the umpire to get the fan to move.
"The guy in the front is not with me," said Evans to renowned tennis official Damien Dumusois. "The guy three [rows] up is not with me. With the camera out, he's not with me." Evans and Alcaraz played another point but the spectator had not moved and Evans still wasn't happy.
Upon watching the incident unfold, Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend said: "Infiltrator in the player box and Dan isn’t happy." Co-commentator and retired tennis ace Laura Robson added: "Someone rogue sat in the player box."
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At that moment Evans' team finally told the man to leave Evans' designated team area, who obliged and moved a few rows up and outside of the box.
It is the third time 33-year-old Evans faced world No. 1 Alcaraz, but the spectator's antics stole the spotlight. It did not help matters for who Evans fell behind with a double break. At 1-4 down, while waiting to return during the Spaniard's serve, Evans gestured to his coaching camp.
Dan Evans returns the ball against Carlos AlcarazEvans aggravated Alcaraz with his crafty slice and relentless net rushes, displaying remarkable resilience even when victory seemed distant. Despite his positive attitude and resolve, he could only briefly hinder Alcaraz's momentum.
In the fourth set at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the top seed and defending champion rose to Evans's challenge, securing a convincing 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory, advancing to the US Open's fourth round.
Seeded 26th, Evans recognised the difficulty of facing Alcaraz early in the competition, commenting, "It is a little annoying to have him in the top eight of the draw, but it is what it is."
We play to make the people happy, as well, to entertain them and try to make the match fun," Alcaraz expressed. "It's great to have those points, as well, and to feel the energy they enjoy."
Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball against Dan EvansAlcaraz aims to become the first man to win back-to-back US Open titles since Roger Federer's five consecutive victories from 2004 to 2008. His next opponent will be 22-year-old Matteo Arnaldi from Italy, currently ranked 61st. Arnaldi advanced to the fourth round by defeating Britain's 16th seed, Cameron Norrie, in three sets, despite having won only one Grand Slam match before this tournament.
Alcaraz has held the top ranking since June 26, but he is set to be surpassed by Djokovic after the US Open. If Djokovic clinches the US Open title, the gap could exceed 2,700 points. The 20-year-old still wants to finish the reason as the world's top-ranked player.
"It's a goal for me right now," said Alcaraz. "I've mentioned before that we are in a fierce battle for the No. 1 spot, Novak and I. I knew he'd regain No. 1 after the US Open. Once the tournament concludes, I'll work diligently to reclaim it. That's my objective."