Argentina’s David Nalbandian was defaulted from his Queen’s Club final against Croatia's Marin Cilic on Sunday for kicking out and injuring a line judge.
Nalbandian was leading 7-6, 3-3 when he dropped serve in the seventh game and reacted by slamming his right foot into an advertising board which splintered and gashed official Andrew McDougall’s left leg.
The shocked McDougall instantly winced and clutched his leg, which had blood seeping from the shin.
After prolonged discussions between the umpire and other tournament officials, Nalbandian was defaulted.
ATP rules state instant disqualification in such instances but the Argentine, a Wimbledon finalist in 2002, felt he had been harshly punished.
“I’m very sorry to do that,” the 30-year-old said. “Sometimes you get frustrated on court and it’s tough to control...it is a mistake. “It is a tough moment to end a final like that,” he added.
Haas stuns Federer
Halle: Tommy Haas showed he was still capable of springing a surprise at the age of 34 by ending a three-year title drought and beating second seed Roger Federer 7-6, 6-4 in the Halle Open final on Sunday.
The German, who needed a wildcard to play in the event as he is now ranked 87th, had declared himself ‘mystified’ with his unexpected passage to the final. He was even more amazed after beating a 30-year-old opponent who was the overwhelming favourite to win a sixth title at the Wimbledon warm-up event. Haas’s win also snapped a 10-year losing streak against Federer, with the Swiss having won their last nine meetings dating back to the 2002 Paris Masters.
{{/usCountry}}The German, who needed a wildcard to play in the event as he is now ranked 87th, had declared himself ‘mystified’ with his unexpected passage to the final. He was even more amazed after beating a 30-year-old opponent who was the overwhelming favourite to win a sixth title at the Wimbledon warm-up event. Haas’s win also snapped a 10-year losing streak against Federer, with the Swiss having won their last nine meetings dating back to the 2002 Paris Masters.
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