Plenty of tennis fans share the same view on the incident at the end of the Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime’s match at the Cincinnati Open.
The 21-year-old claimed his first win over the Canadian and moved onto the quarter-finals at the Masters 1000 event for the first time.
An entertaining Cincinnati Open three-set match came to a close in controversial fashion and what followed was an intense discussion between the players and officials.
Draper claimed a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win and moved into the last eight but the match point proved to be a very contentious one.
What did fans think of the Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime Cincinnati Open incident?
Jack Draper won the match after he hit a volley following his serve, which trickled over the net for a winner.
Auger-Aliassime argued that the ball came off the frame and hit the ground before going over the net, therefore claiming chair umpire Greg Allensworth made the wrong call and believes Draper knew he didn’t make a successful return.
Draper claimed he did not know if he hit it correctly and wanted to replay the point, but other fans felt the British player knew that he had not hit a fair shot.
X user @capitalatrisk23 said: “Draper 100% knows what he did, just own it man and move on,” while @OorRoy said: “He 100% knew. When he played the shot he closed his eyes for a split second like ‘argh’ because he knew, then realised he might get away with it if he styled it out.”
@_JT_95 said: “Look at the look on Draper’s face when he hits it, he knew 200% he smashed it into the ground. The look on his face when the umpire called game set match was one of shock that he got away with it.”
@jordandavies09 added: “Absolutely agree. An amateur would know. A professional on match point DEFINITELY knows and should realise his opponent knows that he knows,” while @MarkyLeeeee said: “Even playing at club level, I know exactly where I’ve hit it, poor show from Jack that.”
Jack Draper’s Cincinnati Open campaign continues
Up match point on his own serve, Draper approached the net to try and hit a volley but shanked it and the ball just trickled over the net for a winner.
Auger-Aliassime thought the ball hit the ground after it came off the frame of Draper’s racket and argued his case, but chair umpire Greg Allensworth stood by his decision that it was a fair shot and Draper won the point.
Though things did not work in his favour, a disappointed Auger-Aliassime shook hands with his opponent and left the court.
Draper will now play Holger Rune for the first time in his career with a chance to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
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