‘Victoria Azarenka was right!’ – Reaction to huge line call in semi-final with Elena Rybakina at Australian Open

There was a big reaction to what Hawkeye labelled a ‘close call’ during the semi-final between Victoria Azarenka and Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open on Thursday.

The call from the electronic line system, which is used at Melbourne Park, made the decision at a crucial point in the match at 30-30 with Azarenka leading 3-2 in the opening set and under huge pressure from Rybakina on her serve.

As a forehand from Rybakina went very deep and Azarenka sliced back a shot that landed out, she immediately questioned the decision for her opponent’s shot to not be called out by the electronic system.

It all left the Eurosport commentators, Jo Durie and Simon Reed, surprised as Azarenka gave her reaction on court. They instinctively sided with the 33-year-old over the situation.

“Oh, wow, not called out!” exclaimed Durie in response as Azarenka shrugged.

The electronic screen behind Azarenka soon flashed a Hawkeye replay on the big screen, suggesting the shot had landed in but was a ‘close call’.

“It doesn’t matter does it because it’s going to stand. It’s not infallible, this system, there is a margin of error,” continued Durie.

“Azarenka was right there, what can you say? We were a long way away from it, but it did look out!”

Reed added: “She thought it was out; it was a mis-hit, and sometimes mis-hits are very difficult to judge.

“She is not going to get what she wants to see [on Hawk-Eye].”

It was an enthralling opening set which Rybakina, the 22nd seed, eventually took on a very tight tie-break, 7-4, with Azarenka having thrown everything she could at the Wimbledon champion.

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