A fiery confrontation marred the second round of the French Open on Wednesday as Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch and China’s Wang Xinyu became embroiled in a bitter dispute over a contentious line call at Roland Garros.
The German player emerged victorious with a 6-2 2-6 6-3 scoreline, though the match will be remembered more for the acrimony than the tennis.
Tensions boiled over when Wang ventured across to her opponent’s side of the court to challenge a ruling, sparking a row that persisted until the final point.
Neither player offered a handshake at the net, with Korpatsch dismissing accusations of foul play as “embarrassing.”
China’s Wang Xinyu crossed the net after being furious with the umpire’s decision
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The pivotal moment arrived with Korpatsch leading 5-2 in the opening set, as Wang served at deuce.
A forehand from the Chinese 32nd seed was ruled out by the line judge, handing her opponent set point.
Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte descended to examine the mark on the clay surface, as is customary at the only Grand Slam without electronic line calling.
Unsatisfied with the verdict, Wang crossed the net to inspect the evidence herself, prompting jeers from the Parisian crowd.
Officials promptly issued her a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct as she gestured animatedly towards her coaching team seated above the baseline.
Tamara Korpatsch and Wang Xinyu refused to shake hands as the German called the ordeal “embarrassing”
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Korpatsch mounted a robust defence of her conduct in her post-match press conference.
“There were two ball marks, one was the old one, and the other one was the new one. Both of them were out. So it doesn’t matter,” she explained.
The German was adamant that any suggestion of impropriety was absurd given the scrutiny players face.
“We have one of the best chair umpires on the court and I don’t know how to cheat, honestly,” she stated. “There are many cameras on court and they can check everything. For me, it would be embarrassing to cheat like that.”
Wang maintained her position in the mixed zone following her defeat, insisting Korpatsch had directed the umpire towards an incorrect mark.
“She showed her another mark,” the Chinese player said. “It was not the ball I hit. In the end, I think she admitted that.”
Wang Xinyu, who went on to lose the match, was booed by the French Open crowd
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REUTERS
At the net, Wang told her opponent: “I would have done it differently with the ball marks.”
Korpatsch expressed surprise at the breakdown, noting the pair had previously enjoyed cordial relations.
“We are not ‘enemies,'” she remarked, though she withheld her hand as she felt Wang’s actions were unjust.
The German now faces seventh seed Elina Svitolina in round three.
