Nick Kyrgios declared an umpire “should be fired” as a controversial call overshadowed Cristian Garin and Nuno Borges’ quarterfinal clash at the Estoril Open.
Garin had snared the first set of the match but Borges held a 3-2 lead in the second set and had the advantage in the sixth game of the set on Garin’s serve.
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The Chilean sent down a 185 km/h serve but Borges returned with a strong forehand to the deuce side of the court.
Garin then hit back with a looping shot that landed awfully close to the baseline, although the line judge declared the ball was in.
However, a member from the crowd yelled “out”.
Borges did not stop playing and hit Garin’s shot back given the point was still live, as the latter subsequently fired the ball wide and definitively out.
Yet Garin was clearly disturbed by the crowd calling out on his deep forehand and immediately complained to the umpire.
What should have been a crucial break of serve to give him a 4-2 lead did not eventuate for Borges, as Garin got his wish when the umpire announced the score was back to deuce.
Borges was clearly rattled and vented his fury at the umpire before quickly calling for the supervisor to come out to the court.
Although Garin should have the point given Borges fired his last forehand well wide, the latter immediately went to the umpire to complain about the crowd interfering and yelling “out”.
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As the players and umpire waited for the supervisor to enter the court, a Tennis TV commentator remarked: “Replay the point, OK, possibly. But you can’t give the point to Garin, surely?”
After a brief discussion with the umpire, Borges and the supervisor, Garin was still given the point in a decision that left Borges and his home crowd furious.
Borges’ coaching team was up in arms as the commentator and the collective tennis world were left stunned.
“This cannot be,” the commentator said.
“It’s a dreadful mistake. And it could be an important one.
The commentator later added: “You very rarely see a decision as poor as this. That is deeply disturbing.”
Kyrgios took to X to blast the decision from the umpire.
“This umpire should be fired and never be able to take place in another match. Disgrace,” Kyrgios wrote.
Renowned tennis journalist Jose Morgado posted: “Still cannot believe this happened.”
Stan Wawrinka branded the controversy as a “disaster”.
Unfortunately for Borges, his day would get worse as Garin went on to secure a straight sets victory after taking the second set 7-6 (7-3).
Garin now faces No. 2 seed Hubert Hurkacz in the semi final.