Casper Ruud was well beaten by Joao Fonseca last night, but he can feel somewhat aggrieved when reviewing the result.
After all, there was a key moment at the business end of that second set which changed the entire trajectory of the match.
As the 28-year-old pushed to level the score at one set apiece, he increased his level massively during the tiebreak, and thus brought about a handful of set points.
On one in particular, Joao Fonseca struck a shot that seemed to have a little too much on it, and in the end it sailed narrowly long. However, it was not called out.
After controversy in Casper Ruud’s match, Roland Garros now NEEDS to implement electronic line calling 😬
The point continued, and the Brazilian survived, eventually turning things around and establishing a two-sets-to-love lead where it should have instead been one set all.
Casper Ruud did not kick up a fuss, but he certainly would have been justified in doing so.
Why Roland Garros needs to introduce Hawkeye after Casper Ruud gets cheated
At the top level, there cannot be margin for error. There is too much at stake, both personally and financially.
There is a reason why football has introduced VAR, despite huge complaints, and even why Wimbledon, inarguably the most traditional tournament in the tennis calendar, has embraced this change to electronic line calling.
And yet, Roland Garros remains insistent on employing human line judges.
This error in the Ruud match perfectly sums up why they cannot persist with this going forward, as it completely altered the outlook of the match.
Instead of the players being tied, as they should have been, Ruud was instead given a near-impossible mountain to climb. The fact that he won the third set only reinforces how he should have then been the one close to victory, rather than only just starting to mount a comeback.
Roland Garros needs to welcome in this overwhelming change, or face losing credibility as an event the more controversies like this emerge.
Casper Ruud reacts to ELC controversy in his match vs Joao Fonseca
Speaking to the press after his loss, Ruud did not stick around for long.
After all, it was late, and the Norwegian had just suffered a gruelling loss across four hard-fought sets.
Asked about that electronic line call error, he tried not to use it as an excuse, despite what a pivotal moment it was.
He simply stated: “There were one or two set points in that second set. The forehand he hit was very powerful; it could have been in or out. Obviously, the ball was called good.
“If I had won that set, the match might have taken a different turn. Instead of being down two sets to love, we could have been one set all. So, obviously, it’s a shame given my situation.”
Meanwhile, Fonseca gave a fitness update after the match, having just played his 17th set of the week.
