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

British star Dan Evans was involved in a blazing row with the umpire before crashing out in the first round at the Italian Open.

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 favourite Fabio Fognini 

Evans was on the verge of breaking serve in the deciding set when Fognini appeared to have slapped a drive-volley wide.

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.

An irate Evans even pleaded with Fognini to tell the umpire the call was wrong.

Lahyani stood firm and said: 'It's catching the back of the line'

To which, Evans, now talking to Fognini said: 'He can't even see where the ball is!'

The argument continued after replays confirmed the ball was out, despite this, Lahyani stuck to his original call.

Evans said: 'You couldn't show me the mark… it didn't hit the f****** line'.

Lahyani replied: 'Don't swear.'

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 an unsportsmanlike conduct.'

Lahyani answered: 'Yes, because you have used the F-word today. I totally 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.'

While the argument went on, the boos for Evans from the crowd grew louder.

Evans would eventually lose the game 4-6, 6-3, 2-6.