Spanish star confronts rowdy fans, forcing the umpire into action

(AP/Aaron Favila)

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has pulled through in an epic five-set encounter in his second round match at the Australian Open, despite a rowdy crowd, which saw tempers flare.

The 14th seed lost momentum after going two sets up against the dangerous big-serving American Reilly Opelka, but found a way to prevail 6-3, 7-6(3), 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 on Kia Arena.

The near-four-hour tussle wasn't without drama however, as Davidovich Fokina walked up to a section of the crowd trailing an early break in the fourth set after taking a tumble, which saw the American crowd cheer.

So heated, to the point where the chair umpire was forced to put a lid on tensions by getting out of his seat.

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"I twisted my ankle and he won the point. And I think it's not fair for me they cheered that point because maybe I could get twisted worst," Davidovich Fokina told the press post-match.

"But, no, it was a low twist. I didn't have anything. I didn't have any pain. But at the end it was not fair that they were cheering at that point because it was a free point for him."

The 26-year-old will need to get past another American in 19th seed Tommy Paul if he is to reach the fourth round in Melbourne for the second straight year.

In that particular fourth round match, Davidovich Fokina lost to Paul 1-6, 1-6, 1-6.

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