“Investigation immediately”- Fans enraged by US Open umpire’s “scandalous” double bounce VAR decision in Anna Kalinskaya’s loss to Beatriz Haddad Maia
In a controversial moment at the US Open, Beatriz Haddad Maia’s apparent double-bounce shot against Anna Kalinskaya was ruled in her favor, sparking outrage among tennis fans. Many argued that the video assistant referee (VAR) system clearly showed a double bounce, accusing the chair umpire and the tournament of unfairly favoring Haddad Maia, effectively “robbing” Kalinskaya of the point. The incident has stirred debates on the consistency and accuracy of officiating decisions in tennis.
On Saturday, August 31, at the 2024 US Open, Kalinskaya and Haddad Maia faced off in the third round at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. Kalinskaya began with strong momentum, breaking Haddad Maia’s serve in the very first game and quickly establishing a 2-0 advantage. In the third game, Kalinskaya earned three break points but failed to convert any of them.
During a deuce situation, Haddad Maia attempted to chase down a drop shot from Kalinskaya but was unable to reach it in time, resulting in her racket hitting the ball after it had bounced twice.
German chair umpire Miriam Bley, however, ruled in favor of Beatriz Haddad Maia. Kalinskaya promptly requested a VAR review, which has played a crucial role in this year’s US Open, given the number of disputed calls by officials.
The VAR review confirmed that the ball had indeed bounced twice before Haddad Maia could reach it. Despite this, the umpire upheld her original decision, awarding the point to Haddad Maia.
One of the most embarrassing moments of this #USOpen.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 1, 2024
If it’s for this… then don’t use VAR at all.
Kalinskaya was in shock as we all would be. pic.twitter.com/qicy4vYPTD
Beatriz Haddad Maia ultimately secured the game and went on to break Anna Kalinskaya’s serve twice, winning the set 6-3. The Russian player, clearly unsettled by the earlier decision, struggled to regain her composure.
She won only one more game after that, ending the match with a score of 3-6, 1-6. The dramatic turn of events left tennis fans bewildered and in disbelief.
“Anna Kalinskaya absolutely robbed here are we agree ??” one fan said.
“US Open I need an investigation on this Kalinskaya match immediately,” another fan said.
“Kalinskaya robbed there. The video review system was supposed to stop these problems. Video evidence is clear. How could they rule Haddad Maia didn’t hit it into the ground?” yet another fan added.
“What the f*uck seriously wtf what’s even the point of video review if you can’t implement them it looks as clear as it can get that it was double bounce but I guess they’re blind or something,” one fan questioned.
“Anna Kalinskaya is being cheated on it’s insane,” one fan said.
“What just happened in the game between Kalinskaya and Haddad Maia is a shame! In the middle of the US Open, with VAR, in a move so easy to understand and see there is a scandalous error. The fault is not the VAR but the lack of competence of those who use it,” another fan opined.
Several fans were disappointed by Beatriz Haddad Maia’s seeming lack of sportsmanship.
“Beatriz Haddad Maia saw very well what happened but she clearly played in an unsportsmanlike way. What a bad fall of style for her,” one fan said.
Here are a few more reactions:
Absolutely garbage sportsmanship from Haddad Maia!!!
— Dunsa123456 (@dunsa123456) September 1, 2024
Disgracefull call from the umpire and disappointing lack of sportsmanship from Haddad Maia 👎
— Kordian Urzędowski (@Kordass) September 1, 2024
