Source : ABC NEWS
Tempers have flared between Tamara Korpatsch and Wang Xinyu at the French Open after a questionable call resulted in a post-match handshake snub.
Korpatsch snubbed the handshake with 32nd-seeded Wang, saying she resented being portrayed as an unfair player over a line call.
Tensions arose late in the opening set of Korpatsch’s 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win on court seven when Wang struck a shot she believed had landed inside the baseline, only for her opponent to point to a ball mark outside the court.
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The disagreement escalated when Wang crossed the net to inspect the mark on Korpatsch’s side, drawing a code violation from chair umpire Aurelie Tourte for unsportsmanlike conduct, and sparking tension that lingered through the match.
“I can’t say I’ll gift her the point,” Korpatsch said.
“I’m a bit surprised, because we have a good relationship, we’re not enemies. I didn’t offer her my hand because that’s not fair for me. She was unfair to come on my side, and I’m not an unfair player.”
Australian Open champ Rybakina sent packing
Yuliia Starodubtseva (pictured) was overjoyed after eliminating the reigning Australian Open champion, Elena Rybakina. (Getty Images: Robert Prange)
There has been much to celebrate for Ukrainian tennis in the last few weeks, and Yuliia Starodubtseva gave her country another reason to rejoice amid the Russian-led war after she fought past Moscow-born Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) for a first top-five win.
Fresh from claiming her second grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, Roland-Garros’s second seed Rybakina was a shadow of her usually dominant self as she made 71 unforced errors in the clash with Starodubtseva to bow out tamely.
“I feel like if you’re trying to beat one of the best, you have to think that you can,” Starodubtseva told reporters.
“I was trying to go into this match with this mindset, try not to give too much respect, even though she’s a great player and someone you can look up to.”
Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva seemed to be joining Rybakina through the exit door, but she regained her composure to down Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 runner-up, was beaten 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 by Argentina’s Solana Sierra.
Iga Świątek is another player trying to rediscover her belief at the French Open after a lacklustre few months, but the four-time winner was plagued by 38 unforced errors, but still had too much quality as she saw off Czech Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3.
“It was a tricky match in terms of the rhythm, because Sara plays differently than most of the players,” Świątek said.
“I’m happy with the way I adjusted and how I was making decisions, because sometimes it wasn’t obvious when to attack and stay back. In the end, I felt pretty good.”
Rome champion Elina Svitolina also continued to mark herself out as a genuine title contender with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Kaitlin Quevedo on Court Philippe Chatrier, before fellow Ukrainian and Madrid winner Marta Kostyuk beat Katie Volynets 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3.
Reuters
