Elena Rybakina hits out at line-calling system after Madrid row
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MADRID – Elena Rybakina said she has lost faith in the electronic line-calling system after the Australian Open champion was left fuming over a disputed call during her three-set win over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on April 26.
The flashpoint came when China’s Zheng was awarded an ace for 40-0 while serving at 4-3 in the second set, despite the mark appearing well out.
“Well, with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina, 26, said of the Hawk-Eye system after her 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory sealed a spot in the last 16 and a date with Anastasia Potapova.
“Because there was no mark even close to what the TV showed.”
The two-time Grand Slam winner compared the incident to Alexander Zverev’s clash with officials at the men’s tournament in Madrid in 2025, when the German was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a photo of a contested mark.
“It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of (the umpire’s) nose. You can’t not see it. It was pretty frustrating,” Rybakina said.
“It’s kind of a stolen point. I understand it was her serve and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”
In action on April 27, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame Naomi Osaka 6-7 (1-7), 6-3, 6-2 in a gripping battle to reach the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka, who has claimed titles at Miami, Indian Wells and Brisbane in 2026, was tested by her Japanese opponent in the last-16 clash but came back from a set and a break down to triumph.
“I was just trying to take one ball at a time and my team was there for me. They really (pushed) me to keep fighting and I’m really happy that I didn’t give up and I was pushing until the very last point,” said Sabalenka, 27.
Only Rybakina has beaten Sabalenka in 2026, in the Australian Open final.
Sabalenka sealed her victory serving to love with an ace to reach the last eight, where she will face American Hailey Baptiste.
Later, third seed Coco Gauff was dumped out in the last 16 by Linda Noskova 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5). The Czech will next face Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk or another American in Caty McNally. REUTERS, AFP
