The Montreal Masters 2013 third round match between Canada’s Milos Raonic and Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina was marred with controversy on Thursday. In the end, it was 11th-seed Raonic who prevailed over 6th-seed Del Potro 7-5, 6-4.
Both players have battle injuries in the match with Del Potro clearly being hampered by his back injury and couldn’t produce big serves. Raonic had to call for a medical timeout that lasted for 12 minutes because the Canadian felt numbness in his right arm.
But that was not the main issue why there was a ruckus after the match.
Del Potro had a lead in the second set at 4-3 and serving to extend it to 5-3. At deuce, Raonic rushed to the net to retrieve a short ball but in the process his foot slipped and was seen clearly touching the net. However, umpire Mohamed Lahyani did not see the foot touching the net and ruled the point in favor of Raonic. What surprised everyone was Raonic clearly knew that he touched the net but did not make the right call.
It turns out that Del Potro did not see the incident either but a replay shown at the stadium’s big screen showed it all which prompted the Argentine to complain about it. Lahyani acknowledged his mistake but refused to overturn the decision.
“I followed the ball and then I see this [pointing to the net],” Layhani reasoned. “I missed it. I have to see two things. I have to follow where the ball bounced. … I have to see both things. It’s very tough. … It’s a human mistake. At least I’m honest.”
Raonic would go on to break back and level the score at 4-4, held his serve at love and broke Del Potro at love to secure the match 6-4. He’s set to face Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, who ousted two-time champion Andy Murray, on Friday.
Del Potro tweeted his disappointment after the match:
Very upset after the match I lost. About the end… I think everybody saw what happened. Thanks for your support.— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) August 09, 2013
