Cameron Norrie stopped play in the middle of his second-round clash with Daniil Medvedev when the automated system failed to call a ball long. Electronic line-calling has been introduced on the clay this year in an effort to provide consistency and clarity on whether a ball has landed inside the lines, but the system failed in Rome on Friday.
Norrie immediately stopped the point and circled the mark on the clay, waving his arms in disbelief when no call of ‘out’ came. Players can no longer overrule the automatic calls but the umpire stepped in to make an announcement when he realised the audio malfunctioned.
The British No. 3 was right to assume Medvedev had sent the ball long. Chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein received a message via his walkie-talkie, being informed that the automated hawkeye system showed the ball was out, even though a call never came.
It came at a crucial moment as Norrie had a break point on the 10th seed’s serve while trailing 1-4 in the second set. And he secured the break when the chair official confirmed the call, giving the point to the Brit.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the system didn’t call the ball, we didn’t have the audio, but they’re going to show the result of the ball, and the ball was out. Game, Norrie,” Lichtenstein announced to the fans on the Pietrangeli court.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk