TWO spectators in the VIP seats at the Miami Open were kicked out after being confronted by Grigor Dimitrov.
The popular Bulgarian faced Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals on Friday.
But the match was halted in the early stages when Dimtrov had to deal with heckles.
Djokovic prepared to serve at 1-1 in the first set.
But Dimitrov became distracted and frustrated by events in the crowd inside the Hard Rock Stadium.
The world No15 walked over to the side of the court and was filmed animatedly talking to the so-called fan who had apparently shouted out.
Dimitrov was clearly aggrieved with his behaviour and remonstrated before going to his towel.
And the umpire jumped into swift action.
Greg Allensworth got down from his chair and raced over.
He then got on his radio for Gerry Armstrong to request security intervened.
He said: “Gerry, Gerry, I need someone removed from the stands now.”
Allensworth reassured Dimitrov security was on the way to deal with the heckler at the change of ends after Djokovic’s service game.
Play continued as Djokovic held before the players returned to their seats.
And at the same time, two troublemakers were ejected.
Tennis fans booed and jeered the pair in question – before cheering as they made their way out of the stand.
One social media user captured both the initial incident with Dimitrov and the moment they were dismissed.
They wrote: “Guy in the 45-47 hat starting trouble talking s*** to this sweet angel @grigordimitrov.”
They later added: “Wow. This felt really good. 10/10 recommend.”
Sky Sports commentator Colin Fleming was not afraid to air his anger, too.
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He said on the live coverage: “Why would you come to this match, sit in the front row and heckle someone?
“I just don’t understand that mentality.
“There’s no place for it. We see it more and more in tennis but in all sports.”
Dimitrov went on to lose 6-2 6-3 as Djokovic booked his place in the final against Jakub Mensik – but the Serb also got a ticking off from Lionel Messi.
But the heckling drama was not the only incident of note with a fan during Dimitrov’s run to the Miami Open semi-final, which also saw him carried off court after one win.
He found himself in a hilarious awkward moment with two fans as part of a social media initiative which saw the trio ride in a cable car over the stadium together.
The girls asked which player on tour Dimitrov would most like to marry and pressed him when he refused to give an answer.
He then asked: “Who do you think will be a good fit for me to go for dinner with? Let’s see that.”
But when one replied that her favourite player is Maria Sharapova, he admitted: “She was my ex-girlfriend.”
The girl replied: “Actually? Sorry to bring that up,” before Dimitrov broke into laughter.
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