MASON, Ohio — The Cincinnati Open dragged on through several rain-related interruptions Friday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, but not without controversy during the evening session in the round of 16 match between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Draper.
As Draper served with match point in the third set, Auger-Aliassime hit a ball just over the net. Draper charged at the serve and attempted a volley, but it looked like he had slammed the ball into the ground, causing it to bounce back into his racket and over the net.
The “Draper Double Bounce” should have been a point for Auger-Aliassime, but referee Greg Allensworth gave the point to Draper and the match was over.
Auger-Aliassime pleaded his case after the match, but to no avail. His tournament was over and Draper moved into the quarterfinals, where he faced Holger Rune on Saturday.
“It will look ridiculous.”⁰⁰Felix Auger-Aliassime is angry with the referee after he made the controversial decision to end the match against Jack Draper.
Watch how the situation develops ⬇️⁰#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/Edo8EIG2Ux
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) 17 August 2024
Here’s what social media thinks about the controversial ending.
Dude. Terrible decision but every player knows you know exactly where you hit hahaha ridiculous stuff
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) 17 August 2024
Draper knows exactly what happened and should have at least offered a replay… shady!
— Nicolás Pereira (@nicolaspereira) 17 August 2024
Draper knows it, but it is not the player’s responsibility to make decisions.
In sports, wrong decisions are made every day.
I don’t know why there isn’t a rating system in tennis, but there’s no reason to overshadow Draper.
— Jack Locks (@JackLocks101) 17 August 2024
Felix is right and he was totally duped, this was a trap and it was pretty obvious, Draper has some serious questions to answer here, that was very clear in the replay…
– Mitch Rustad (@MitchRustad) 17 August 2024
Terrible ending to a game.
— Andy Shefsky (@AndyShefsky) 17 August 2024
Poor FAA, that was such a terrible decision. Maybe the worst I’ve seen in a long time. Draper immediately looks to the referee. Felix walks away from the spot because he hears that double rebound. Crazy decision. Poor FAA after a great tournament
— Jared J. (@jjoconno) 17 August 2024
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘Horrible’: Draper advances in controversial finish at Cincinnati Open
