(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Frances Tiafoe strongly criticized the chair umpire’s decisionwho didn’t immediately block the match against Lorenzo Musettiat the Internazionali BNL d’Italiawhen it started to rain heavily in Rome. “How is it possible that we still play on this court?” are the words repeated several times by the American at the beginning of the third set.
Tiafoe did not at all like the treatment that was reserved for him, different from the other players. The game, on the evening of Monday 15 May, was then definitely suspended at 2-1 in the decisive set, with the native of Carrara who took advantage of the situation and the nervousness of his opponent to place the break.
It wasn’t the only particular incident recorded against Frances Tiafoe, who had to suffer boos from spectators in the stands After an earlier complaint about towels. According to the American, towels do not dry, lashing out at the chair umpire in a change of court.
On that occasion, the crowd made its voice heard, not appreciating the protests made by Tiafoe. The end of the match was recovered on Tuesday, with Musetti defending the advantage and gaining access to the round of 16, only to be defeated by the Greek. Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Here is the video released by Tennis Channel on Twitter to highlight what happened at the central court of the Foro Italico.
Tsitsipas-Sonego and Zverev-Wolf matches have been suspended in Rome. #IBI23@FTiafoe is understandably angry he is still playing in the rain though 😬 pic.twitter.com/VwMIlzSka8 — Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 15, 2023
Iga Swiatek gets teh quarterfinals
No problem for WTA number one Iga Swiatek, who settled Donna Vekic in straight sets for 6-3 6-4, in 1h and 36 minutes of play, at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
The Pole risked putting the Croatian back in the game only when she served for the match, but she canceled two break points with determination, getting the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 on the Rome clay-courts. Swiatek will now find on the other side of the net Elena Rybakina, an opponent who has already defeated her twice this year: at the Australian Open and at Indian Wells.