Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Andy Murray was already held in extremely high esteem by his fellow British players after last year’s heroic actions in winning the Davis Cup but he further endeared himself to Dan Evans by braving the cold and wind of a very un-summerlike Melbourne evening by adding his support at 10.30pm.

Evans was facing a battle in the Australian Open second round qualifying match against Israel’s Amir Weintraub when Murray, a tracksuit hood pulled over his head arrived on the outside court at Melbourne Park.

The Birmingham-born was more than aware of his significant supporter, standing next to British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith. “It was a great effort by Andy and I really thank him for that,” said Evans who will tomorrow face Bjorn Fratangelo, the 131st ranked American for a place in the 128-strong main draw. “It was nice of him.

“There are not too many players of his standing that would come out this late at night in these kind of conditions. It’s freezing, he could easily get ill coming out here in this cold.”

After an on court altercation with Weintraub and a conversation with a group of Israeli supporters, Evans eventually won through to the final round of qualifying with a 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 win.

“It was a horrible match where I couldn’t get going,” said Evans. “It was embarrassing at times and I must have hit more than 20 double faults.”

Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.