Aryna Sabalenka thinks players should immediately stop a point to request a video review after the controversy that surrounded Jack DraperIt is Indian wells exit to Daniil Medvedev.
Defending champion Draper succumbed to a 6-1 7-5 defeat against the Russian but it was a controversial late appeal for obstruction This got everyone talking, which allowed Medvedev to get the most important break in the second set.
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Medvedev had taken issue with Draper raising his arms during a disputed line call midway through the point, appealing to referee Aurélie Torte after scoring his backhand a few shots later. After a video review, Torte felt that Draper had distracted his opponent and awarded a crucial point to Medvedev, taking it 0-30 with the second set at 5-5.
World number 1 Sabalenka didn’t have as much of a problem with the decision as with the procedure, insisting that players should not be able to find out the outcome of the point before requesting a video review to intervene.
Aryna Sabalenka during her semi-final victory at Indian Wells against Linda Noskova (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
“What I find really embarrassing is that you can finish this point and then ask for this,” Sabalenka said, speaking after her semifinal victory in Indian Wells against Linda Noskova.
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“Because if it really bothered you, then you should stop immediately and ask for the video review…if he had won the point, he probably wouldn’t ask for the video review, right? I don’t really think that’s how it should be.
“If he was disturbed, (he should) immediately request the video review.”
Video review technology has been available on all courts at all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments since February last year, allowing players to challenge referees’ decisions on foul shots and obstacles, among other issues.
Jack Draper appeals to referee after contentious interference call (AP)
Referees can also get in the way without a player requesting a review, as happened with Sabalenka for excessive grunting during a rally during her Australian Open semifinal victory over Elina Svitolina in January.
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“With me, there was no need for the ref to call that one,” she added. “About Daniil, theoretically he (Draper) made the move, but I don’t think it bothered Daniil that much.”
Sabalenka has been in terrific form this season, winning 15 of her first 16 matches, with her only loss coming against Elena Rybakina in the Melbourne showpiece in January.
She will now have a chance for revenge by facing the Kazakh in the final at Indian Wells on Saturday.
