Video review farce at US Open as USTA confirm umpire got it wrong

Tennis’ controversial video review system has found itself in the spotlight after a dubious call wasn’t overturned at the US Open.

Beatriz Haddad Maia booked her place in the US Open fourth round in controversial circumstances on Sunday (AEST) as the video review system came under fire.

Anna Kalinskaya was ahead 2-0 in the opening set of the clash on Louis Armstrong Stadium when she called for a video review, claiming that her Brazilian opponent had won a point off a double bounce.

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The Russian’s shot over the net appeared to have bounced twice before Maia was able to get the ball back and as replays rolled it appeared Kalinskaya was correct.

Replays appeared to show the ball cannoning into the ground after hitting the frame of Maia’s racquet before going over the net.

Despite the evidence, chair umpire Miriam Bley consulted her tablet screen and decided that the shot was legitimate and the point was allowed to stand.

It denied Kalinskaya a chance to secure the early double break with fans left incredulous over what had unfolded.

The replay shown on the big screen. Credit: EuroSport.

Tennis broadcaster Jose Morgado let the outrage over the chair umpire’s decision to award the point to Maia.

“What? AHAHAHAHAHAH It’s a clearly ILLEGAL PLAY!!!!!! Everybody is watching,” he wrote on X.

“This is absolutely embarrassing, I’m sorry. You use VAR and you can’t see with your eyes … instead of break point it’s game point and then game.

“One of the most embarrassing moments of this US Open. If it’s for this … then don’t use VAR at all. Kalinskaya was in shock as we all would be.”

Aussie champ Rennae Stubbs posted: “I played 22 years of professional tennis and knew if i got to a ball or not, if I double hit a half volley or not, if a ball hit me before going out or not! So to take a point when you don’t deserve it and know the truth, is pretty (thumbs down).”

Beatriz Haddad Maia claimed this point

Kalinskaya never recovered her composure and won only two of the next 14 games as the Brazilian left-hander secured the 6-3, 6-1 win to set up a clash with former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

The US Tennis Association later confirmed however the controversial point was incorrectly adjudicated and should have been awarded to Kalinskaya.

“After the review was complete, an additional angle was seen on the broadcast,” USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre said.

“The chair did not see this footage prior to making the call.”

Kalinskaya couldn’t believe her opponent was awarded the point. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The US Open introduced video replays last year and expanded it for 2024 to cover eight courts.

When it was first used in 2023, it failed to function in the men’s match between Andy Murray and Corentin Moutet after the French player requested a review.

Amongst the decisions that can be challenged are double bounces and hindrances. There have been widespread calls for the review system to be used at all tournaments after a series of controversies.

At the recent Cincinnati Masters, Britain’s Jack Draper scored a victory over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime on a dubious linecall without technology review.

The controversial point that ended the match.

The chair umpire was unable to make a clear call on a ball that looked to have hit the court on the Briton’s side of the net just as Draper’s racquet met the ball at the same instant, landing a winner.

While both men were agreeable to a replay, officials could not make a ruling without the benefit of a video review capacity.

After several minutes of discussion at the chair, the shot by Draper, on match point, was allowed to stand.

US Open champion Coco Gauff also demanded the system be used at the French Open after a clash with the umpire over a disputed line call in her semi-final with Iga Swiatek.

- with AFP

Originally published as Video review farce at US Open as USTA confirm umpire got it wrong