Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in stitches after calling for VAR at US Open

Sep 05, 2023 at 3:57 AM
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in stitches after calling for VAR at US Open

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula had been left laughing after they referred to as for VAR for use of their doubles match on the US Open. Pegula had been concerned in a back-and-forth alternate on the internet when the umpire referred to as a foul shot as she and Gauff instantly requested a video evaluation.

Fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium had been handled to a bonus day session match on Monday when Gauff and Pegula’s conflict towards Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse was moved there following Carlos Alcaraz’s straight-set victory.

And each groups placed on a present from the get-go, with Pegula and Kostyuk changing into embroiled in a back-and-forth alternate on the internet within the opening sport when the umpire interjected and referred to as a foul shot, as she noticed the ball bounce twice off of the American’s racket. The third-seeded pair requested for the brand new VAR system for use and stood on the baseline ready to observe the replay.

The 19-year-old apologised after calling for a replay of the footage, not realising it could take a couple of minutes to arrange and evaluation. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was going to take this long,” she smiled. “It’s my first time doing this.”

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When the replay lastly flashed up on screens across the court docket – and behind Gauff and Pegula – it grew to become clear that the ball bounced twice on the 29-year-old’s racket as she tried to return certainly one of Kostyuk’s flying balls on the internet. The Americans may solely chortle as they watched again the footage, with their opponents becoming a member of in.

The umpire’s name stood because the Ukrainian-Romanian duo had been awarded the purpose and so they went on to carry serve. But Gauff and Pegula raced to take the following 5 video games in a row with a double break, with the world No 1 doubles rating on the road.

Pegula served for the set at 5-2 and had two set factors however Ruse and Kostyuk had been capable of keep alive as they broke again. It was Gauff who stepped as much as attempt to shut out the set for a second time and this time the third seeds acquired it carried out, taking a 6-4 lead after saving a break level.