Livid Frances Tiafoe forfeits Davis Cup conflict after lashing out close to umpire
Frances Tiafoe allowed his frustrations to get the higher of him because the USA crashed to defeat in opposition to the Netherlands within the Davis Cup on Thursday. The American world No 10 had already misplaced his first match in a gaggle stage encounter in opposition to Croatia’s Borna Gogo 6-4, 7-6 on Wednesday and he misplaced out once more after defaulting his tie in opposition to Tallon Griekspoor whereas he was two units down.
The essential second arrived throughout the third-set tiebreak when the Dutchman’s serve was referred to as out, with Tiafoe hitting his return into the web. Griekspoor challenged the choice and line expertise confirmed that the ball had clearly landed on the service line.
As a consequence, the purpose was awarded to Griekspoor, citing 4 match factors. A miffed Tiafoe requested the chair umpire, Richard Haigh, for the purpose to be replayed because the ball had been referred to as out while the purpose was nonetheless ongoing. But when the official refused, the US star began to show offended.
“Why shouldn’t we replay the point?” argued Tiafoe.
With tensions threatening to boil over, he escalated his grievance to the match referee to no avail. And confronted with the daunting problem of defending 4 match factors, a livid Tiafoe then slammed his racket into the courtroom a number of occasions.
Unsurprisingly, he was handed a code violation which resulted in his opponent being awarded a penalty level. And with the competition already at match level, Tiafoe not solely conceded the match but additionally handed the Netherlands victory within the group stage tie.
Earlier within the day, Botic van de Zandschulp had crushed the USA’s Tommy Paul 7-6 (2), 6-2 within the first singles match, that means that Tiafoe’s subsequent defeat had given the Dutch an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Tiafoe’s fury didn’t prolong to Griekspoor, with whom he shook fingers earlier than trudging off the courtroom.
The American had skilled an identical scenario in his earlier match 24 hours earlier in opposition to Croatia’s Gojo, however on that event was profitable in getting the purpose replayed.
The Netherlands now prime Group D with two wins from two, leaving the Tiafoe’s workforce left with a lot to do. They face Finland subsequent on Saturday.
The USA is probably the most profitable nation within the historical past of the Davis Cup, having gained the competitors a file 32 occasions, which features a 17-match profitable streak from 1968 to 1973. But their final general triumph got here 16 years in the past in 2007, and their newest defeat will not do a lot to assist them change that.