EVANS HAS GOT FIRE IN HIS BELLY British No1 celebrates finest comeback of his career with dig at Henman for weight jibe

DAN EVANS fought back to win a thrilling five-setter – and celebrated with a cheeky dig at Tim Henman.

British No1 Evans overturned a two-set deficit for the first time in his career to beat Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open.

He then patted his stomach in jest after Henman’s jibe about his weight.

Great Britain captain Henman told Evans at the ATP Cup he “could miss a few meals”.

Evans said: “It was just a bit of a joke to the guys in the corner. I am in good shape. I have got strong legs and a good set of lungs.”

Evans, 29, is seeded and playing as Britain’s top-ranked player for the first time at a Grand Slam.

Former No1 Andy Murray, who pulled out with a pelvis injury, is down at world No128 and British No4. The limping Scot lost an emotional match on the opening day here last year.

But 30th-seeded Evans, who has no kit sponsor, said: “We all know who the British No1 is and it is Andy Murray. He is the best player even at the minute when he is injured.

“Andy hasn’t been in touch.

It’s probably not that easy for him watching this all over again. He’s probably got bad memories of this tournament from last year and is now missing it again, which is difficult.

“Everybody hopes he gets back on court sooner rather than later.”

A frustrated Evans turned the Melbourne Park air blue under grey skies after his flat early play against theAmerican world No129.

After falling 5-1 down after only 20 minutes in the first set, he shouted: “Get hold of it. Relax a bit. Settle down. F ***** g do something.”

And the world No32 followed his own advice by fighting back to beat McDonald 3-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in three hours and 21 minutes.

He said: “I was frustrated that I wasn’t playing my game. It felt pretty good to let some out. Nothing against anyone who was there watching me.

“When you are tired, your patience is less. I was frustrated over not a lot really. When you are two sets to love down, you think you are going home. I was just happy to turn it around.”

He will face Japan’s world No71 Yoshihito Nishioka, who has won their past two clashes, in the second round. Defending champion Novak Djokovic is his potential third-round foe after the Serb saw off German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 for his 900th ATP Tour win.