Andy Roddick has expressed his shock after the controversy involving Taylor Fritz at the Cincinnati Open.
The world number 12 headed into the tournament having lost to fellow American Sebastian Korda in the Canadian Open second round.
Fritz called the Canadian Open balls ‘crazy’ after his first round win over Mariano Navone, before a disappointing loss to Korda.
He has now suffered an even more disappointing defeat, with Fritz falling in the first round of the Cincinnati Open.
It was another defeat against another American for Fritz, with Brandon Nakashima winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7-4).
Andy Roddick reacts to Taylor Fritz Cincinnati Open controversy
The former had only just clinched shone in Paris, with Coco Gauff reacting to Fritz’s Olympic bronze medal.
There will, however, be plenty of fallout from his latest match, with chair umpire Greg Allensworth stopping a point mid-rally midway through the second set.
Nakashima had sent a forehand long, but the ball was not flagged out by the electronic line call system, forcing the duo to play on.
The umpire then opted to replay the point, telling an angry Fritz that he would have made a decision had the player made an effort to stop the rally immediately.
Among those reacting to the controversy was tennis legend Andy Roddick, who posted on X: “This is allergic to common sense.”
Taylor Fritz exits Cincinnati Open in dramatic circumstances
Fritz had every right to be both furious and confused with the decision to replay the point, having paused very briefly upon the ball flying out.
The boisterous Cincinnati Open crowd then also reacted angrily to the umpire’s call, having taken the side of Fritz.
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He did, however, go on to win the point replay and indeed the set, but lost a third set tie-break to exit the competition early.
It certainly isn’t ideal US Open preparation for Fritz, who would have been expecting to enjoy a lengthy stay in Cincinnati.
After a successful Olympic doubles run with Tommy Paul, he must now quickly find his form ahead of the fourth and final major of the year.
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