Elena Rybakina Expresses Distrust in Electronic Line-Calling System After Madrid Open Controversy Elena Rybakina, the Kazakh tennis player, voiced her lack of confidence in the electronic line-calling system during her three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on Sunday. The incident occurred in the second set, when Zheng Qinwen was serving at 30-0 and 4-3 down, and was awarded an ace for a serve that Rybakina believed was out of bounds. The 27 April 2026 match, which Rybakina won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, became a focal point for discussions about the reliability of the technology used to enforce line calls. Rybakina, visibly frustrated, pointed to the disputed mark on the clay court and requested that umpire Julie Kjendlie descend from her chair to inspect the line. However, the official declined the request, insisting that the electronic system’s decision was final. Rybakina responded by stating, “The system is wrong, this is not a joke,” and emphasized her unwillingness to trust the technology. She further criticized the system’s accuracy, noting that the mark shown on television did not align with what she saw on the court. The incident echoed a similar controversy from the previous year, when Alexander Zverev, a men’s player at the Madrid Open, faced a warning for taking a photograph of a contested ball mark. Zverev had argued that the ball had gone wide, but the system called it in. He retrieved his phone from his bag to capture the mark, an action that led to a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. Rybakina referenced this past incident, stating, “It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of her nose. You can't not see it. It was pretty frustrating.” Rybakina’s frustration extended beyond the immediate call, as she described the situation as a “stolen point.#alexander_zverev #elena_rybakina #zheng_qinwen #madrid_open #julie_kjendlie
Alcaraz vs. Korda, Keys vs. Zheng, Jovic vs. Gibson: Miami Open previews and picks Carlos Alcaraz and Sebastian Korda will face off in a pivotal third-round match at the Miami Open, with Korda seeking to build on his recent breakthroughs. The 25-year-old American, ranked 36th in the world, has shown renewed form this year, bolstered by improved health and the guidance of new coach Ryan Harrison. Korda’s 11-5 record in 2026 includes a Challenger title in San Diego and a quarterfinal run in Dallas, but his history against Alcaraz remains challenging. The Spaniard has dominated their recent encounters, winning three straight sets since their last meeting in 2024. Despite Korda’s potential, Alcaraz’s consistency and physicality make him the favorite to advance. Madison Keys, the 31-year-old American, faces a test against rising Chinese star Zheng Qinwen. Keys, once a top-10 player, has slipped to No. 18 after a 2025 Australian Open title, while Zheng, who peaked at No. 4 in 2025, is now ranked 26th following elbow surgery. Their only previous meeting, on hard courts in D.C., saw Keys prevail, but Zheng’s recent resurgence suggests she could be the more dangerous player. At 23, Zheng’s physicality and adaptability may give her an edge over the older Keys, who is still a formidable opponent but faces challenges in maintaining peak form. In the women’s draw, 18-year-old Iva Jovic clashes with 21-year-old Talia Gibson, marking their first tour-level meeting. Jovic, ranked No. 17, has shown promise with her speed and variety, reaching finals and semifinals in Australia this year. Gibson, however, has surprised many with her composure and power, including a recent upset of Naomi Osaka. Their previous encounter at an ITF event saw Jovic win, but Gibson’s natural two-handed backhand and confidence could shift the balance.#carlos_alcaraz #madison_keys #iva_jovic #sebastian_korda #zheng_qinwen
Zheng Qinwen's remarkable comeback victory over Madison Keys sets up a high-stakes fourth-round clash against Aryna Sabalenka at the Miami Open. The 23-year-old Chinese tennis star advanced to the last 16 for the third time in her career after defeating the former Australian Open champion and 15th seed in a three-set thriller (4-6, 6-2, 6-4). This follows her earlier straight-sets win over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens (6-3, 6-2), marking her second consecutive triumph over Grand Slam winners. Zheng described the Keys match as a challenging encounter, praising the American's powerful play and the difficulty of adapting to the intense pace. "Madison's ball was like a bomb for me, and I couldn’t react quick enough," she said in her post-match interview. "I haven’t played in a match with this kind of speed for a long time, so it took me some time to adapt. But I really enjoy playing in Miami, so I hope I can stay in the tournament a while longer." The victory marks Zheng's first significant success since the arrival of her new coach, Marcos Baghdatis, who joined her team at the Indian Wells tournament. She acknowledged the support of her long-time coach, Pere Riba, and expressed optimism about her new partnership. "I always want to have a second coach," she said. "Marco just joined at Indian Wells, and I really hope we can work well together." Zheng also reflected on her six-month layoff following elbow surgery last summer, calling the break "boring" without tennis. "I love tennis, and I love to play tennis," she said. "Competing with all the girls and being in front of the crowd during intense matches is what I miss most." Her next challenge will be facing world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed in Miami.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #madison_keys #zheng_qinwen #marcos_baghdatis
Sabalenka to meet Zheng in high-stakes Miami showdown Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen will face off in the Miami Open Round of 16 after both players advanced with strong performances in their third-round matches. Sabalenka defeated Caty McNally in straight sets, while Zheng staged a remarkable comeback against Madison Keys to secure her first victory over a Top 20 player since her return to the WTA Tour following elbow surgery. The clash marks Zheng’s ninth meeting with Sabalenka, with the World No. 1 seeking to extend her winning streak against the Belarusian star. Zheng’s victory over Keys was a pivotal moment in her resurgence. After struggling to keep up with the American’s powerful shots in the first set, Zheng turned the tide in the second and third sets, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The win marked her first triumph over a Top 20 opponent since Roland Garros in 2025 and highlighted her improved form following her recovery. Zheng, who had previously lost her first six matches against Sabalenka, now aims to break that losing streak and end the World No. 1’s bid for a second consecutive Miami title. Sabalenka’s path to the Round of 16 was more methodical. She dominated McNally, winning 10 of the last 12 games in a 6-4, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian star showcased her ability to control rallies, particularly in the second set, where she broke McNally for the third time to seal the match. Sabalenka emphasized her focus on maintaining consistency, stating, “I’ll focus on myself. I’ll focus on my game. I’ll try to stay focused from the first point till the last.” Zheng’s comeback against Keys was marked by a dramatic turnaround. After trailing 0-40 on serve in the second set, she adjusted her approach and surged ahead, finishing with 31 winners compared to Keys’ 15.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #round_of_16 #wta_tour #zheng_qinwen
