17 January 2024 , 19:38
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An Australian Open ballboy caused uproar midway through a tense match after mistakenly catching the ball while it was still in play.
World No.15 Karen Khachanov was left furious during his tightly contested second round match against Aleksander Kovacevic. Khachanov was facing a break point at 2-1 down in the second set, but the Russian put his opponent on the back foot when he fired a powerful serve at Kovacevic.
The American tried to put Khachanov under pressure with a slice, but instead his looping attempt was appearing to be going out. However, before the ball hit the ground, a ballboy caught it and the umpire immediately called for the point to be replayed.
Khachanov was irate and bellowed at the umpire: "It's out here, where is the rules?" The crowd were also far from pleased with what they had just witnessed, while the umpire responded by telling Khachanov "he needs to let it bounce" as she explained she doesn't have the power to give him the point.
But the umpire quickly spotted that Kovacevic was signalling to concede the point. Khachanov appreciated the act of sportsmanship from Kovacevic - especially at a crucial stage of the match - as the 27-year-old raised his hand to thank his opponent. The crowd then responded by applauding as the umpire confirmed the decision to give Khachanov the point.
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After winning the opening set 6-4, Khachanov on to win the second set 6-3. Kovacevic responded to take the third set 6-4 and give him some hope, before Khachovic held his nerve to win the fourth 6-3 and book his place in the third round, where he will now face Tomas Machac from Czech Republic.
The ballboy caught the ball before it was deemed out of play (Eurosport)This isn't the first incident of its kind at the Australian Open this week, after Max Purcell lashed out when a ballgirl got up and walked. Purcell was leading 2-1 as Mate Valkusz served at 1-1 in the fourth set when the ballgirl picked up her water bottle and left her chair.
A raging Purcell stormed to the umpire, before shouting: "He's literally hit the serve. I'm watching the ball. She just started walking off the court. You see it as well? You see the ballgirl?"
Karen Khachanov was furious as he remonstrated with the umpire (Eurosport)"I mean it's your point, it's fine, Purcell added. "She literally picked up a drink bottle and started walking off the court. She started walking over [there] and around."