Tennis: Ostapenko blasts rival's dad over unsportsmanlike 'coughing'

Ostapenko serves against Italy's Camila Giorgi. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko blasted her Wimbledon rival's father on Friday (July 7), claiming he was deliberately coughing when she tried to serve.

Latvian 13th seed Ostapenko made the last-16 for the first time at the All England Club with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Italy's Camila Giorgi.

But she complained to the chair umpire that Giorgi's team in the player box on Court Two were constantly making noises during her service action.

The 20-year-old pointed the finger at Giorgi's father and coach Sergio.

"It was just before my serve, somebody started to cough. I think it's a little bit unsportsmanlike. You're in such a high level tournament like Wimbledon, a Grand Slam, I think people have to understand where they are," said Ostapenko.

"I think it was from her dad actually. They're very close to tennis. They have to understand how to behave during the points or before the serve.

"I told the chair umpire and she kept an eye on it. A couple of times they were shouting before my serve. That's why I got a bit disappointed."

Ostapenko battled back from deficits of 3-5 and 2-5 to claim victory on Friday and will face Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

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