Iga Swiatek's crushing quarter-final victory over Emma Navarro is overshadowed by another bizarre Australian Open technology row

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Iga Swiatek's crushing quarter-final victory over Emma Navarro is overshadowed by another bizarre Australian Open technology row
Published: Jan, 22 2025 07:49

Another crushing win for Iga Swiatek was overshadowed by a row over the Australian Open’s new video review technology. The Polish No 2 seed thrashed Emma Navarro 6-1, 6-2 to set up a semi-final against Madison Keys. Navarro briefly threatened to make a match of it as she pushed for a break of serve at 2-2 in the second set and it was then that the controversy occurred.

 [Navarro, who ultimately lost in straight sets, fumed at the chair umpire after no call was made and the officials were unable to conduct a video review]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Navarro, who ultimately lost in straight sets, fumed at the chair umpire after no call was made and the officials were unable to conduct a video review]

With Swiatek serving at her advantage, Navarro played an excellent drop shot. Swiatek chased it down and scooped it back up, going on to win the point. As soon as the point, and game, was over, Navarro immediately turned to umpire Eva Asderaki and asked to challenge the call, insisting the ball had bounced twice before Swiatek retrieved it.

 [Navarro confronted the chair umpire to express her displeasure at the call, with the American saying: 'I think I should be allowed to review it after the point even if you play on']
Image Credit: Mail Online [Navarro confronted the chair umpire to express her displeasure at the call, with the American saying: 'I think I should be allowed to review it after the point even if you play on']

Video challenges have been introduced at this Australian Open, whereby players can contest judgement calls made by the umpire - such as double bounces. But the rules state that players must stop the point to make a challenge, rather than waiting until the rally was finished, and so Navarro was unable to intervene. As Navarro and Swiatek sat in their chairs for the changeover, there followed the ridiculous spectacle of the point being replayed in slow motion over and over again on the big screen and everyone seeing clear as day that the ball bounced twice.

 [Navarro, 23, has enjoyed an excellent run at the Australian Open, notably beating Ons Jabeur on her route to the quarter-final]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Navarro, 23, has enjoyed an excellent run at the Australian Open, notably beating Ons Jabeur on her route to the quarter-final]

The crowd murmured and Navarro said: ‘Do you see that?’ to umpire Asderaki, who was powerless to correct her mistake. Iga Swiatek's match against Emma Navarro was overshadowed by a bizarre ruling, after Swiatek had appeared to play a shot after it bounced twice.

 [Swiatek will now go on to face another American star, Madison Keys, in the semi-final]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Swiatek will now go on to face another American star, Madison Keys, in the semi-final]

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