Azarenka angered by call

30 May 2015 08:32

Serena Williams pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Victoria Azarenka in three sets at the French Open as the Belarusian was left fuming by a controversial umpire decision.

Williams' bid for a third title at Roland Garros looked to be over when she trailed a set and 4-2 but the American turned the match on its head to win 3-6 6-4 6-2.

The fightback was helped by a moment of fortune on set point in the second set, when Azarenka's forehand was called out before the umpire overruled and ordered the point to be replayed.

Williams had already hit the ball into the net, seemingly regardless of the call, and Azarenka, who felt the error should have stood, was given a visible obscenity warning as her frustration boiled over.

"Was it a turning point? No. A very important point? Yes," Azarenka said.

"My honest opinion is that call was b***s***, everybody knows it but it's part of the game. Sometimes it happens this way.

"But I think it wasn't a fair call."

Azarenka continued: "Sometimes we need to have a damn review because it was so clear.

"I give the benefit of a doubt always if there is a close call but that was so damn clear that you cannot make these mistakes at this level.

"I'm not saying this as an excuse or saying because of that point I lost the match but in that moment, if you don't have a review, it causes a lot of problems."

Azarenka and Williams appeared to be involved in brief but heated exchange soon after but there was no hostility after the match between the pair, who are close friends off the court.

"Have I spoken to Serena to clear the air? There's no air to clear," Azarenka said.

"I gave her a pair of my shorts because she said she liked them. True story."

Source: PA