Rennae Stubbs has weighed in on the debate involving Taylor Fritz’s first round controversy at the Cincinnati Open.
Fritz reacted angrily at the Cincinnati Open after the chair umpire stopped play mid-point in his match against Brandon Nakashima.
The former briefly looked up to the umpire after the latter hit a long forehand in the second set, but they played on as the ball wasn’t called out.
Neither the umpire nor the technology in place made the call, with Fritz shocked at the decision to then replay the point.
He did end up winning the replay point and the set, but went on to lose the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(7-4) against his compatriot.
Rennae Stubbs messages Taylor Fritz after Cincinnati Open drama
Denis Shapovalov called for a rule change after a run-in with the same umpire at the Citi Open in Washington earlier this month.
The Canadian has now taken to X to express his disbelief at the umpire’s latest call regarding Fritz, with the American replying: “Playing with automatic line calling and the guy wants me to stop the point man.”
Stubbs then made her thoughts on the matter clear, responding: “I think the only right answer to this is, yep, it’s out! Your point Taylor, move on.”
What next for Brandon Nakashima and Taylor Fritz?
Nakashima will not have wanted such frustration for his opponent, but he may just have used it to his advantage.
Having beaten Shapovalov at the recent Canadian Open in Montreal, he has now clinched another massive win, this time over Fritz.
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It follows his impressive run in Montreal, where the American also defeated Tommy Paul in the round of 32, before falling to Andrey Rublev in the next round.
He now meets Frenchman Arthur Fils in Cincinnati, with Nakashima in with a great chance of another successful tournament.
Fritz meanwhile will be hugely frustrated and disappointed with his exit, particularly with the US Open rapidly approaching.
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