CINCINNATI—Did we just witness the turning point in the issue of tennis’ lack of a video review system? After Friday night’s controversial end to the Cincinnati Open third-round clash between Jack Draper and Félix Auger-Aliassime, that may finally be the case.
Players are still chiming in on social media after a likely double-bounce on match point during the pair’s third-round clash went uncalled by chair umpire Greg Allensworth—handing Draper the point and a place in his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the year.
After dropping the opening set on Grandstand, Draper rallied back and was serving for the match against Auger-Aliassime at 5-7, 6-4, 5-4, 40-30. That’s when he appeared to mishit a half-volley into the ground, with the ball popping up and clipping the net before floating over to Auger-Aliassime’s side of the court.
Both players appeared taken aback when Allensworth awarded the point, and the match, to Draper. Auger-Aliassime swiftly approached the chair to make his case.
“That’s horrendous what you just did,” the Canadian railed. “Did you not see the ball bounce on the floor? He shanked it on the floor!”