US Open 2023: Controversial Call in Kalinskaya vs Haddad Maia Match

During a third-round match at the U.S. Open on Saturday night, a controversial call occurred involving Anna Kalinskaya and Beatriz Haddad Maia. The incident took place 11 minutes into the match, with Kalinskaya leading 2-0. After a drop shot from Kalinskaya, Haddad Maia attempted to return the ball, which led to a dispute over whether the ball had bounced twice before being hit. Kalinskaya challenged the call using the video review system, which was introduced to assist in such situations. The chair umpire, Miriam Bley, reviewed a replay that only showed whether there was a double bounce, which it confirmed there wasn’t. However, the replay did not provide the necessary angle to determine if the ball had touched Haddad Maia's racket before hitting the ground. Consequently, Bley ruled in favor of Haddad Maia, stating that the original call would stand, which drew boos from the crowd. The match was delayed for four minutes while the review took place, and despite the controversy, Haddad Maia went on to win the next point and ultimately the match with a score of 6-3, 6-1. The U.S. Tennis Association later acknowledged that the chair umpire had not been shown all relevant replays, which contributed to the incorrect ruling. This incident highlights the challenges and limitations of the video review system in tennis, as well as the need for improved communication among officials to ensure that all applicable angles are considered during critical moments in matches.