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Open apologises to Serena Williams
US Open organisers have apologised to Serena for a controversial line call in her quarter-final loss to Capriati.
US Open organisers have apologised to Serena Williams for a controversial line call in her quarter-final loss to Jennifer Capriati on Tuesday.
Williams's hit a backhand well inside the sideline at deuce in the opening game of the third set that was called good by the lineswoman but overruled by umpire Mariana Alves.
The third seed, who lost the match 2-6 6-4 6-4, initially thought Alves had simply called the score wrongly, but the Portuguese confirmed to USTA officials that she had overruled.
"I called Serena," said Arlen Kantarian, the Chief Executive of Professional Tennis. "I apologised for the call, the overrule - which was a clear mistake - and told her how important she was to the US Open, how she was a class act and how well she handled the situation last night.
"She was very appreciative of the call."
US Open Tournament Director Jim Curley confirmed an earlier statement by the USTA that Alves would not officiate in any further matches at the tournament.
