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Tamara Korpach skipped the traditional handshake with Wang Jinyu after winning a tense second-round match at the French Open on Wednesday, saying she was annoyed at being portrayed as an ‘unfair player’ in a line call.
Tensions flared in the opening set of Korpatsch’s 6-2 2-6 6-3 win on Court 7 when Wang hit a shot that he believed had landed inside the baseline, only for his opponent to point to a ball mark off the court.
The rift escalated when Wang crossed the net to inspect Korpatch’s side marker, infringing a code of unsportsmanlike conduct from chair umpire Aurelie Tourte and sparking tension in the match.
“It was a really long ball from him, and I saw it out. I don’t know if the line umpire ruled it out, but there were actually two ball marks,” Germany’s Korpatsch said.
There was controversy over the feel of a shot landing on Wang, but Corpach highlighted that the baseline was exceeded.
“One was old and the other was new. They were both out, so it didn’t matter. I didn’t know which one was right but the chair umpire came down and signaled, and it was out.
“Also on TV, they showed Hawk-Eye and it was like eight millimetres. He came to my side, because he didn’t believe it… In the end, we didn’t shake hands because he told me he wasn’t okay, with ball marks.
“I can’t say I’ll give him the point. I’m a bit surprised, because we have a good relationship, we’re not enemies. I didn’t offer him my hand because it’s not fair to me. He was unfair to me, and I’m not an unfair player.”
Unlike the other three Grand Slams, the French Open does not rely on electronic line calling, as officials can inspect the marks left by the ball on the ground to help them make decisions, although there is room for human error.
Korpatsch reiterated his disappointment at the realization of the incident and defended his conduct.
“I think he said something like he thought I wasn’t a fair player or something like that, but I don’t know how. We have one of the best chair umpires on the court, and I don’t know how to cheat, honestly,” Korpatch said.
“There are cameras on the court and they can check everything. For me, cheating like that would be embarrassing. To be honest, when I ran, I thought the ball was out, and I was like, ‘OK, which one is it?’ I didn’t know any signs.
“For that, we have umpires.”
Through the third round of Roland Garros for the first time, Korpats will next play seventh seed Elina Svitolina.
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