Stuttgart Open: Aryna Sabalenka uses the phone to photograph Mark disputed to raise tension in court
The number one world Aryna Sabalenka took things in her hands and used a mobile phone to photograph a controversial ball sign when the Umpire refused her request to take another look at her victory over Elise Mertens in Stuttgart Open on Saturday.
Sabalenka seemed surprised when a call outside went against her to give to Belgian polecat The first break of the service and a 4-3 lead in the opening group of their quarterfinals, and a check by Umpire Miriam Bley confirmed the call.
Belarus went to search for herself, and when Bley refused her call to check again, Sabalenka borrowed a phone from one of her team members and made a photo of the sign in a mix of cheers and whistles from the crowd.
Bley then gave Sabalenka a warning of unstable behavior, but the player placed the incident behind her to return immediately and continued to win 6-4, 6-1.
Bley and Sabalenka shook hands after the match, which left the player with the impression that they were not forgiven.
“When I gave her a handshake she had a very interesting look and a very strong handshake, never before,” Sabalenka said in her interview in court.
Asked if she had turned the pressure on her hands tightening, Sabalenka said, “No, it’s good, why would I play this game with someone like her?”
Sabalenka will meet Jasmine Paolini In the semifinals after the Italian defeated American Coco gafff 6-4, 6-3.