Alexander Zverev battled past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Madrid Masters. The former champion prevailed 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 after nearly two hours and 50 minutes, losing the opener but taking the pivotal points of sets two and three.
The encounter had a couple of essential moments, but the tenth game of the second set stole the show! Zverev found himself at the center of controversy following a massive mistake by the electronic line system.
Despite clearly landing long, the system did not recognize Davidovich Fokina’s out, causing frustration from world no. 2. The German pulled out his phone and took a shot of the mark. He also embraced an argument with the chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani.
Alexander received a code violation for taking out his phone and snapping a photo of the ball mark. However, he hopes to avoid a fine after doing nothing wrong.
Zverev explained the controversy and highlighted an error in the system over that call as the ball landed four or five centimeters wide. An electronic review showed that the ball just caught the line and that he could not do anything to overrule it.
Wile staying calm and urging the player to leave his phone, Lahyani had to give Zverev a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. Alexander understood Mohamed’s decision to remain in his chair, not blaming him but the electronic system.
