Andrey Rublev says two decisions made by the umpire during his third round match at the Madrid Open were ‘wrong’ with the points going against him.
The world No.8 clashed with official Adel Nour during his 7-6(10), 6-3, win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. It began seven games into the match when a shot from the Spaniard was called out which prompted him to immediately challenge. Then after some confusion, the umpire stated that the shot was in but decided to award the point to Fokina instead of replaying it. A decision that prompted an angry response from Rublev who demanded a replay but officials were unable to do so.
In the second set, a similar situation occurred when a Rublev return was initially called out before the umpire ruled it in. However, the official decided to issue a replay instead of giving the Russian the point.
“I mean I felt it was wrong because in the first set was exactly the same situation and I told the referee, I agree that yes I couldn’t make it, I hit it out,” The Express quoted Rublev as saying afterwards.
“But the referee called out earlier than I hit [it]. And then second set, the same situation but the referee called it also later than Alejandro hit and the referee told me no, but he was in the position that he could make it. And I say yes but he was trying to make it and he missed it and then it was out.”
“Exactly the same two situations and both of them in my situation, he gave the point to Alejandro and in Alejandro’s situation, we replayed the point.”
Controversy aside, Rublev has now won back-to-back matches in the Tour for the first time since February when he was disqualified from the Dubai Tennis Championships for unsportsmanlike conduct. After that incident, he launched a successful appeal to the ATP who ruled the penalty as ‘disproportionate’ and returned his rankings points and prize money. However, a fine of nearly $30,000 was upheld.
Rublev currently has a win-loss record of 17-8 so far this season. In Madrid, he will play Tallon Griekspoor in the fourth round.
