'So disrespectful': Fans erupt over 'repulsive' Australian Open moment
Fans have savaged TV commentators at the Australian Open for their ‘repulsive’ treatment of Taiwanese veteran Hsieh Su-wei.
Hsieh pulled off a stunning victory over World No.9 Bianca Andreescu on Wednesday, beating the former US Open champion 6-3, 6-2.
‘SHATTERING’: Aus Open rocked by Aussie icon's tragic death
‘KEPT IT SECRET’: Australian Open hit by virus 'cover-up' claims
Playing in her first tournament in 15 months, Andreescu’s comeback from injury stalled when she became the latest top-10 player to be beaten by crafty veteran Hsieh.
And while the 35-year-old Hsieh played out of her skin, all the commentators could talk about was Andreescu.
Fans lashed out on social media, claiming the Taiwanese player wasn’t given nearly enough credit.
“This commentator needs to give credit to Hsieh, she’s outplayed Andreescu!” one fan wrote.
“The disrespect of Hsieh is repulsive.”
Another tweeted: “I don’t get why commentators never give Hsieh Su-wei the credit she deserves. P*sses me off.”
This commentator needs to give credit to Hsieh, she’s outplayed Andreescu !The disrespect of Hsieh is repulsive #AusOpen
— Bridget Tsikata, daughter of Tsatsu Tsikata (@Bridget_Otoo) February 10, 2021
Like EVER!!
— Ebony THEE Firebender (@EbonyThee) February 10, 2021
Give credit where its due I'm sure Bianca will too in her presser. This is what Hsieh does to top players ask Halep and Osaka and Kvitova etc and they never had 15 months off #AusOpen
— 🤔 (@Jamaica658) February 10, 2021
Andreescu: *screams COME ON after Hsieh’s UE 🤬*
Commentators: THAT is the fighting spirit of a real champion 🥺🙌🏻— Love, Tracy (@michal1497) February 10, 2021
One of my pet hates with commentators is when they damn Hsieh with faint praise, eg "she drives you round the bend" or "she makes you beat yourself" or "she throws in a lot of junk" etc. It's SO disrespectful to a wonderful, unique player. They used to do the same with Niculescu.
— Anton 'Robin Peter to Paypal' Starch (@starchanton) February 10, 2021
Andreescu falls in first tournament since 2019
Andreescu beat Serena Williams in the final at the 2019 US Open, but sat out all of 2020 due to a knee injury.
Seeded eighth, the 20-year-old Canadian seemed befuddled by the 35-year-old Hsieh's unorthodox game, which includes a two-handed forehand and an unpredictable mix of pace and placement.
It didn’t help that Andreescu served poorly, losing 17 of 23 points on her second serve.
She was broken six times and fell to 1-3 in the second round at grand slams, with the lone win coming during her run to the US Open title.
Hsieh is ranked 71st and has a history of inconsistency.
But she’s 8-2 against top 10 players, including two wins over the reigning World No. 1 - Simona Halep at Wimbledon in 2018, and Naomi Osaka at Miami in 2019.
“It’s strange - I normally feel more excited to play with better players,” Hsieh said.
with Associated Press
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.