After a summer of umpire related controversy, another terrible call was made in the third round match between Anna Kalinskaya and Beatriz Haddad Maia at the US Open.
Anna Kalinskaya was left shocked and furious by an umpire decision during her US Open defeat to Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The Russian 15th seed was gobsmacked when German umpire Miriam Bley concluded that Haddad Maia had reached a ball before it bounced twice.
Kalinskaya called for a video review during the third game of the first set, with evidence suggesting the Russian was correct.
Having originally awarded the point to the Brazilian, a slow-motion replay showed quite plainly that the ball bounced twice before Haddad Maia hit it.
To the disbelief of both Kalinskaya and many onlooking fans, the umpire didn’t change her decision and the Russian went on to lose in straight sets.
The US Open tournament director previously backed the new technology to work without a hitch, suggesting that despite the earlier controversies, she had full confidence in both the umpires and the new rules.
Fans call out ‘terrible’ umpire decision at the US Open
With attention already on the umpires after a summer of dodgy decisions, the US Open has enjoyed a relatively drama-free opening week.
However, after this latest controversial episode, fan discontent has risen to the top once again.
One disgruntled person said: “This umpires have been horrible on key plays!! I hope the players petition for improvements!!,” with another simply saying, “Terrible call.”
After drama between Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime, one fan went as far as saying, “This is even worse than Draper’s, is very clearly that touched the ground AND there’s video review.”
Many also highlighted the subsequent drop in level from Kalinskaya, with many suggesting Haddad Maia’s actions were unsporting.
Another added: “In my opinion Haddad Maia was dishonest, but it’s incomprehensible how the chair umpire didn’t overrule the point and how the world’s biggest tournament don’t have a better set of video cams for review controversial point like this. It simply broke down Kalinskaya’s mind.”
The US Open has done well to stifle fan discontent
After a summer of fury, mostly on the ATP side, the US Open has risen to the occasion when it’s most needed to, with the tournament enjoying a smooth ride so far.
While fans were frustrated by the scheduling of Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton’s match, organisers will have been relieved to have had far fewer issues crop up than the lead-up to this years tournament suggested there might be.
Denis Shapovalov’s consistent fury at the ATP has gone slightly quiet, with the Canadian helpfully suffering a first round exit and concerned now with the Jannik Sinner controversy.
With blips coming in the form of high profile players being beaten, rather than umpire errors, it has ended up becoming the most thrilling grand slam of the year.
American success has also helped, with four men into the fourth round, as well as three American women remaining in the draw.
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