Daniil Medvedev advanced to the BNP Paribas Open semifinals after defeating defending champion Jack Draper in Thursday night’s quarterfinal. The Russian won in straight sets, but the match ended controversially after a hindrance call went against the Brit at a critical moment in the second set.
Medvedev took the first set 6-1, but Draper fought back in the second. At 5-5, with Draper serving and down 0-15, he was rallying with Medvedev when he seemingly nudged his arms in the air. Medvedev kept playing, then hit a backhand into the net and immediately signaled to the chair umpire for a video review of Draper’s action, suggesting it distracted him during the rally.
The controversial call was made against Draper, changing the score from 15-15 to 0-30, despite his protests. This call shifted the momentum, leading Medvedev to break Draper’s serve and then serve out the next game, winning the set 7-5 and completing his victory.
Tennis fans took exception to the controversial hindrance call and lashed out at Medvedev for continuing the rally and only raising his arms for a review after he lost the point.
“Daniil’s disgraceful lack of sportsmanship, and ppl act surprised? He’s always been like this, yet bc some ppl find him “funny,” he gets away with it. It’s NEVER funny to his opponents or the expensive equipment he destroys or the endless disruptions too long to name. It’s pathetic,” one fan commented.
“Jack Draper was obviously fatigued, and I had a bad read, but to rob him of a vital point like this and give him a huge adrenaline dump in the process was nasty work from Daniil Medvedev. If he’d stopped immediately, I’d have gotten it, but he waited till he’d lost the point and complained. Would have won the match anyway, I agree, but this just ruined it,” another fan commented.
“That’s an all-time bad call would maybe understand it if Medvedev stopped right away or missed the first shot, but he played 3 more balls,” yet another fan commented.
Some other fans, while criticizing Medvedev for his actions, also lashed out at the chair umpire for the hindrance call against Draper, with many calling on the umpires to face disciplinary action for taking irresponsible, controversial calls during a match.
“This was such BS. Literally sucked the air out of the match at the end. I wish umpires actually had some sort of repercussions for this sort of foolishness. Also, if this happened to Meddy, he would have LOST it,” one fan commented.
“There is NO WAY this was enough for a hindrance call, Jack barely lifted his arm without making the slightest noise, and Meddy played two shots after that. Also, why is it always Aurelie at the crime scene? I’m so pissed,” another fan commented.
“Shameful call,” one fan posted.
What Did Jack Draper Say To Daniil Medvedev At Net After The Match?
After the match, the crowd booed because of the surprise video review at a critical moment, while both players approached the net to shake hands. At the net, Jack Draper and Daniil Medvedev had a little conversation regarding the hindrance call against Brit.
“You won the match fairly. However, I don’t think it distracted you,” Draper said.
Medvedev seemed to nod along during the short interaction, but it seemed like the Russian was in no mood to pay heed to Draper’s side of the argument. While Draper’s title defense comes to a heartbreaking end at Indian Wells, Medvedev moves on and will now take on World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals on Saturday.
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