Google News Watch: Jelena Ostapenko fumes at electronic line system after crucial call in AO loss
by DZEVAD MESIC
Jelena Ostapenko was left frustrated and annoyed by the electronic line calling system after feeling that a Victoria Azarenka ace was a ball that landed well outside the service line.
With Azarenka serving for the match, Ostapenko had a break point in the 12th game of the second set. But Azarenka easily dismissed that break point, firing an ace.
Moments after the Azarenka ace and the chair umpire calling deuce, Ostapenko was spotted turning to her team and gesturing that the ball was "this much" out. Ostapenko´s actions left the two commentators on air bursting into laughter.
When it comes to the actual call, there was that could have been changed since the electronic line calling system is considered faultless. In the past and also at this year´s Australian Open, Ostapenko admitted she doesn´t fully believe the electronic line system as she thinks it can also make mistakes at times.
Victoria Azarenka just hit an ace.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 20, 2024
Jelena Ostapenko says it was out by ‘this much’ 😂
pic.twitter.com/dxzj8iKkgp
Ostapenko went on to lose to Azarenka
Shortly after Ostapenko was left annoyed by the electronic line calling system, the Latvian went on to lose in two sets after Azarenka sealed a 6-1 7-5 win.
Ostapenko got off to a very slow start to the match as Azarenka claimed an early break for a 3-0 lead. In the sixth game, Azarenka broke Ostapenko again for a 5-1 lead, before realizing her first set point in the following game to clinch the opener.
Ostapenko bounced back at the start of the second set, having earned her first break of the match in the fourth game before also serving out the following game for a 4-1 lead. Up 5-2, it seemed like Ostapenko would routinely win the second set and force a decider.
But then, Ostapenko suffered a collapse as she suffered back-to-breaks on her serve in the ninth and 11th games as Azarenka took a 6-5 lead. In the 12th game, Ostapenko had a chance to get back in the second set but the Latvian missed out on four break points before Azarenka converted her first match point to complete a straight-set win over the 2017 French Open champion