WATCH: Victoria Azarenka taunts chair umpire Marija Čičak over her umpiring errors at the coin toss during her match with Madison Keys
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Marija Cicak and Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka seems to have hit a high note with her performance at the Guadalajara Open. She defeated American Madison Keys decisively 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 in the Round of 16 match.
Meanwhile, some laughter was also served before the start of the match. Marija Čičak, who officiated the match between Sloane Stephens and Belinda Bencic in the second round of the same tournament, again acted as the umpire for this one. At one point during the game, Čičak made a critical mistake by giving Bencic a point on a questionable line call when redoing the point would have been preferable.
On social media, the chair umpire faced a lot of backlash for her judgment, with many people arguing that if she could make such a poor call, then she might not have paid enough consideration to what was going on during the match. The Belarusian must have seen the incident played out on television.
The London Olympics 2012 bronze medalist made a point of reminding the chair umpire ‘what howler she did commit’ at the net during the coin toss, impressing both Čičak and Keys.
Keys burst out laughing right away, while Čičak accepted the remark with a cheeky acceptance. “Thank you, that’s a nice way to start. I take that. We all make mistakes,” Čičak riposted.
Victoria Azarenka is looking to win her first WTA major title this year
If Victoria Azarenka can defeat Coco Gauff, and storm into the semi-finals of the Guadalajara Open, it would be her best performance in a WTA event this year. She had a tough season so far, to say the least.
The 2013 Australian Open champion would like to redeem herself and her form as everyone gears up for the upcoming season and the challenges that it brings. She is right now placed at World No.37 in the current WTA rankings.
She is capable of higher standing. This tournament can be the testimony of that. But there are many hurdles before she can claim her hands on the trophy. If she manages to win the match against the teenager Gauff, more American challenge lies ahead before her.
Whosoever will the match between Jessica Pegula and Sloane Stephens will advance into the semi-final. Also, the Greek Maria Sakkari is in top form and she too would like to win this tournament. So, it seems, would be a tough fight for the Belarusian to make good of this opportunity. But all hope that Azarenka will provide a show worthy of her name.
Also Read: Matteo Berrettini dodges question on messy ATP Napoli Cup fiasco, admits it’s a “complex situation”
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