Alexander Zverev survived a huge scare to progress at the Madrid Open, where he has just edged past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Zverev thinks conditions are different in clay court events, with the German currently the top seed at the Madrid Open.
After being handed a bye in round one, Zverev defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2 in the first round.
He then took on another Spaniard in round three of the ATP Masters 1000 event, with Zverev pushed all the way by 28th seed Fokina.
After almost two hours and 45 minutes of action in the Spanish capital, he triumphed 2-6, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-0).
Alexander Zverev booed by fans for taking photo of court during Madrid Open win
But the match certainly wasn’t without controversy, with the electronic line calling system having called a point from Fokina in when Zverev felt it was clearly out.
The incident took place with Zverev losing 15-0 when leading the second set 5-4, with the German involved in a lengthy discussion with the umpire over the call.
After his outburst, the 28-year-old took a photo of the ball mark on his phone, leading to huge jeers from the Madrid Open fans.
What Alexander Zverev said to the umpire amid Madrid Open controversy
Zverev has certainly had plenty of run-ins with umpires over the years, and he was particularly animated once more against Fokina.
And he decided to take matters into his own hands when the umpire wouldn’t budge, with WTA number one Aryna Sabalenka having taken similar action at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix earlier this month.
Disputing the call, Zverev said to the umpire: “The machine is not working. Look at this mark, please just come down look at it.”
The umpire replied: “I cannot. The system gave it good, I cannot check it Alexander,” to which the German responded: “Don’t overrule it, please come down please, just for me.”
Responding, the umpire said: “I’m not allowed. When the system calls it good, I cannot go down,” with Zverev saying: “Don’t overrule it. Just for me please look at this. Please I’m begging you. Just look at this.”
Continuing his stance, the official said: “Alexander, the system gave the decision, it’s the same for both of you,” with the player remonstrating: “Okay then there is a mistake in the system, because this ball is like *this* out, it’s not like *this*, it’s like *this*.
Told “the system calculates the impact” by the umpire, Zverev replied: “If it’s like *this* okay but it’s like *this*,” with the umpire noting: “From here I cannot tell.”
Zverev pleaded: “Look at it please,” with the umpire responding: “Alexander you need to accept it now, it’s for both the same.”
The German continued: “The ball is like *this* out,” with the official pleading a final time: “Alexander please, please.”
And he has now extended the drama beyond the match, with Zverev posting the image he took on his Instagram story with the caption: “Just gonna leave this one here. This was called in. Interesting call.”
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