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2017 Australian Open: Dan Evans given cold shoulder by Kevin Pietersen

Sam McClure

DE palmed off by KP

Great Britain's Daniel Evans has caused somewhat of a stir at this year's Open. Not only has he taken out No. 7 seed Marin Cilic and local hope Bernard Tomic in back-to-back rounds, but he's also had run-ins with spectators and officials.

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But it seems the news hasn't reached former English cricket star Kevin Pietersen, who is still dominating in the BBL for the Melbourne Stars.

Apparently KP, who was Evans' favourite cricketer growing up – didn't want to take a photo with the rising tennis star when stopped at Crown recently.

"He didn't want me to have my picture with him. That was it. I think he was worse for wear. That was his excuse when he replied. Quite funny, isn't it, how things work out," Evans said when asked about the incident after his Tomic win.

"He was my favourite cricketer until that point, genuinely was.

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"Yeah, it was a bad moment that was. It was so embarrassing, as well. He didn't even just say, 'No'. He handed me off, as well. I was nowhere near him either."

Not a good look, KP.

$19.99 discounted to ... 0

Well, at least there is some good news for Evans. He might have been "handed" off by Pietersen, but he's found some support from a potential sponsor.

Evans admitted early in the tournament that his sponsorship with sportswear giant Nike had expired, so he had been forced to buy his own shirts from UNIQLO for $19.99 each.

Well, not any more.  "The company actually sent quite a lot to the locker room today. That was nice of them, yeah. There was no logo, so that was really nice of them as well. I've got quite a few now, and they were free," he smiled. 

Sir Andy's call

Hot Shots queried the scheduling of world No. 1 Andy Murray, who was put on Melbourne Park's No. 3 court Hisense Arena for his third-round win over Sam Querry.

But as it turns out, the recently knighted Murray made that decision all by himself.

"I got asked if I wanted to play first on on Laver or later in the day on Hisense. It's a bit strange to play the last match, the second night match, then be scheduled to play first the next round. It kind of throws off your body clock a little bit. So I asked to play later in the day.

"But it's a great court to play on. Great crowd. The stadium was full before we finished our warm-up on there today. Like 10:45 it was pretty much packed. Good, nice atmosphere." 

Who says Andy isn't positive?!

Bernie feeling the pinch

Bernard Tomic's press conferences never fail to surprise. The polarising Aussie is always good for a strange quote here or there, and his post match chat to journalists following his third round exit to Evans delivered.

Roll the tape.

"Well, yeah, it's my ninth Australian Open. I'm 24, which is tough to think. I feel like I'm 34. It's amazing, you know. I actually feel like I'm 34, but I'm 24. Nine Australian Opens. I can't believe it, as well. It's been a long nine years already. Another 10 to go. Jesus."

Blasphemy aside, it's an interesting take from Bernie.

Let's go back a few years, when Tomic was a baby-faced 17-year-old, who wasn't happy with his 2am finish against then world No. 14 Marin Cilic.

"For the people, I requested to play during the day, and it didn't happen, I think it's ridiculous," Tomic said.

"Especially me, at my age, it's difficult."

Too young then, too old now. We can't keep up.