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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jack Rathborn

Former French Open champion wades in on technology row at Roland Garros

  • A controversial line call at the French Open denied Casper Ruud the second set against Joao Fonseca, ultimately contributing to Ruud's defeat in their fourth-round match on Sunday.
  • During the second set tie-breaker, with Ruud leading 8-7, the chair umpire overruled Hawk-Eye , which showed Fonseca's forehand had gone long, instead ruling the ball was in.
  • This pivotal decision led to Ruud losing the second set and subsequently the match with a score of 5-7, 6-7(10), 7-5, 2-6, allowing Fonseca to progress to the quarter-finals.
  • The incident underscored the French Open's unique position as the only major tournament on the professional circuit that does not fully utilise ball-tracking technology, relying on human arbiters for line calls on its clay courts.
  • Commentator and former two-time French Open champion Jim Courier criticised the umpire's intervention, advocating for electronic line calling, while others, including Paul McNamee, defended the traditional human arbitration on clay as part of the sport's authenticity.

IN FULL

Jim Courier blasts Roland Garros over Casper Ruud v Joao Fonseca controversy

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