Tennis champ calls for crying child to be ejected, crowd applauds

News.com.au

a day ago

Emma Raducanu called for a crying child to be ejected from the stadium during her Cincinnati Open showdown with Aryna Sabalenka.
The British star was serving at a crucial point in the deciding third set, when cries from the crowd disrupted her focus on Tuesday morning (AEST).
Serving at 3-4 in the third set, Raducanu had to fend off several break points for the world No 1.
Stepping up to serve at deuce, the former US Open champ halted her motion and turned back after a child cried out, The Sun reports.
Frustrated, the British star turned to the umpire and said: 'It's been, like, 10 minutes.'
Incredulous, the umpire said: 'It's a child. Do you want me to kick the child out of the stadium?'
Looking unimpressed, Raducanu shrugged.
Then when members of the crowd started replying 'yes', the British No1 pointed to them and smiled in agreement.
As Raducanu towelled herself, the umpire said: 'I can call in, but we need to continue for the moment.'
Following an incredible 13 deuces, and after fending off four break points, Raducanu was finally able to hold serve for 4-4.
The world No. 39 did not let the incident knock her off her stride, despite the pressure put on her by Sabalenka.
The rest of the third set went with serve, meaning that the match would be decided by a final set tie-break.
Sabalenka went on to win the tie-break 7-5, squeezing into round three in the process.
Raducanu received a fantastic ovation as she exited the court, with even Sabalenka applauding her opponent's valiant effort in the three hours and 12 minutes battle.
The match was described by commentators as one of the best witnessed on the WTA Tour this year.
Sabalenka is bidding for her 10th trophy at the 1000 level and second this season after winning at Madrid.
In other third-round results at the last major tune-up prior to the US Open, Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Australian Maya Joint 6-4, 6-3.
Sorana Cirstea defeated Yuan Yue 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4 and will next play third seed Iga Swiatek, who got a walkover into the round of 16.
Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, a quarter-finalist this month in Montreal, made further hard court progress with a 6-4, 6-1 thrashing of American wildcard Taylor Townsend.
Her next opponent will be Sabalenka on Wednesday.
In the men's draw, seventh seed Holger Rune, a semi-finalist here a year ago, won his 99th career match on cement, ending the hopes of Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
Felix Auger-Aliassime got a win for Canada, advancing 7-6 (7/4), 4-2 when French opponent Arthur Rinderknech retired with apparent heat illness after two gruelling hours on court.
American Frances Tiafoe advanced past Ugo Humbert of France 6-4, 6-4 in 82 minutes.