The buildup to the final tennis grand slam of the year continues this week, with many of the world's best players taking part in the Cincinnati Open in preparation for the US Open later this month.
The Cincinnati Open is widely regarded as one of the biggest tournaments on the ATP Tour, although there were some controversial scenes in one particular match at the event last night.
It came as British no.1 Jack Draper faced Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in the round of 16, with the Brit ultimately coming out on top in three sets after a very close contest. However, there was more than a hint of controversy surrounding the point that ultimately sealed his victory in this match.
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Tennis: Controversial Match Point Led To Tense Scenes In Cincinnati
The point in question came in the tenth game of the third set, with Auger-Alissime needing to win it in order to keep the match alive.
Draper would go on to produce a drop shot that just sneaked over the net, leaving his opponent with no chance to keep the rally going. The umpire would award the point to the Brit, meaning he also won the match.
However, his Canadian opponent was clearly furious with the decision. He believed that Draper's tennis racket had made contact with the ball twice before it was returned over the net, meaning he should have won the point.
With no video replays available in this tournament to influence the umpire's decision, his decision was not reversed. It led to some very tense scenes on the course.
THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL MATCH POINT EVER!!!
WHAT JUST HAPPENED...? 😱#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/cxU4H2A4Af— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 17, 2024
Draper admitted that he was unsure if he had made contact with the tennis ball more than once, with his eyes being on his opponent at the time. Auger-Alissime did not buy that excuse, saying he would have felt the contact on his racket.
A supervisor was called down from the stand, although he could do nothing to decide the ultimate outcome of the point.
Here is another look at the shot in question.
Can we please implement video review, tournaments already have the capability…#tennis pic.twitter.com/MQeCmqMOlw
— Michael Russell (@MRusselltennis) August 17, 2024
Auger-Alissime would eventually shake his opponent's hand and make his way off court, but he remained incredibly unhappy with the call.
It is impossible to know if this would have made any difference to the result of the match, but it was certainly one of the stranger incidents in top level tennis in recent memory.
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