[ad_1]
Wimbledon doubles pair Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram brought their quarterfinal to a crashing halt overnight in a stunning protest against the Hawkeye system.
The pair eventually won a gruelling five-set encounter against France’s Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin — but not after refusing to play until the technology was turned off.
There was controversy in the second set when they thought they had broken serve after Roger-Vasselin’s shot looked like it comfortably went long, but Hawkeye said otherwise.
Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MORE WIMBLEDON
‘THOUGHT MY SHIP HAD SAILED’: Emotional Nick Kyrgios reaches first-ever Grand Slam semi
‘DON’T KNOW’: Kyrgios may get free ride into Wimbledon final after Nadal’s shock injury admission
‘A LOT OF THOUGHTS AND THINGS I WANT TO SAY’: Kyrgios reacts to assault allegations
Salisbury then told the umpire: “I’m not starting again until you turn it off. The machine is obviously wrong, so turn the machine off. There’s no chance that was in.”
It didn’t end there with the pair asking for the supervisor to step in.
“I guess there’s a chance we all saw it wrong. Maybe we need to get our eyes checked,” Salisbury said.
“There is no chance that is in. You know it is wrong. Can you get the supervisor?’
Playing partner Ram added: “There’s no way, man. No way at all. That’s ridiculous.
“We’re turning the machine off. We’re not in the future here man.”
The supervisor came to the court and said he would investigate further as the pair insisted it wasn’t working properly.
They were eventually ordered to continue playing and an All England Club spokesperson later said: “The referee’s office has reviewed the footage and has determined that there is no reason to be concerned about the quality and accuracy of the electronic line-calling during this match.”
Salisbury and Ram went on to lose the set, but rallied to down the French pair 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 6-1 3-6 6-4.
They now face Australians Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in tonight’s semi-final (10pm AEST).
[ad_2]
