FAA falls to Draper at Cincy Open with controversial match point
Felix Auger-Aliassime fell to Jack Draper in the third round of the Cincinnati Open in controversial fashion Friday evening.
With Draper holding a second match point, the Briton tried to put away the Canadian with a volley. However, Draper hit the ball into the ground before it bounced back to his racket and then went over the net, resulting in a double bounce that should have led to a point for Auger-Aliassime.
Instead, chair umpire Greg Allensworth awarded the point and match to Draper, leaving Auger-Aliassime in disbelief.
THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL MATCH POINT EVER!!!
β Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 17, 2024
WHAT JUST HAPPENED...? π±#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/cxU4H2A4Af
Auger-Aliassime pleaded with Allensworth after the point to change the call. The tournament supervisor then came onto the court but sided with the chair umpire.
Oh my! π«£ pic.twitter.com/FazKHlOKY9
β Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) August 17, 2024
While instant replay wasn't permitted, it can be used to review such calls at the US Open.
Video challenge system please. We have it. Use it. Nice to see the US Open implementing the VR system on 8 of its match courts.
β Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) August 17, 2024
Draper will take on Holger Rune in the quarterfinal round.
HEADLINES
- Ruud to play Draper in Madrid Open final after beating Cerundolo
- Sinner considered taking break from tennis before accepting doping ban
- Madrid Open players enjoyed time away from phones during blackout
- Djokovic withdraws from Italian Open after losing his past 3 matches
- Power restored at Madrid Open as tournament resumes with packed schedule