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'WTF': Ballgirl in baffling collision with Australian Open hopeful

chris young
Sports Reporter
·3-min read

Roger Federer’s dramatic quarter-final victory against world no.100 Tennys Sandgren took a dramatic turn late in the fourth set tiebreak, after the American was injured when a ballgirl collided with him.

There had already been twists and turns in what became a five-set marathon, after Federer copped a code violation for swearing and later called for a medical timeout.

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Federer powered through the first set, but Sandgren hit back to take the second and third in convincing fashion.

This Swiss star fought back hard in the fourth set, saving seven match points and forcing a deciding fifth set.

Controversy again struck the match though, when Sandgren, who was bending down to reach for a drink bottle, was clattered into by one of the ballgirls as she ran behind the chair umpire.

American tennis player Tennys Sandgren was involved in a collision with a ballgirl during the fourth set tiebreak in his match against Roger Federer. Picture: Channel 9
American tennis player Tennys Sandgren was involved in a collision with a ballgirl during the fourth set tiebreak in his match against Roger Federer. Picture: Channel 9

Sandgren played on, but was grimacing after the collision and needed to stretch his calf out afterwards.

He went on to lose the fourth set tiebreak, despite earning seven match points, extending the match to a deciding fifth frame.

Despite seeming to be in some pain, Sandgren did not take a medical timeout and continued in the fifth set without delay.

It continued a series of small but unusual disruptions in the match, which included the chair umpire’s microphone malfunctioning at one point, as well as a feather landing on court, disrupting Sandgren’s serve.

Federer ultimately proved too much for Sandgren, winning the deciding fifth set in convincing fashion to claim an impressive 6-3, 3-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory.

Iron-willed Federer overcomes Sandgren challenge

Sandgren easily closed out the third and looked to take control of the fourth before Federer once again found his feet.

The Swiss star saved no less than seven match points in a back and forth tiebreak in the fourth set, before eventually claiming the set.

There was no looking back from then on, as Federer claimed a 6-3, 3-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory.

Federer will play the winner of Tuesday night’s quarter final between Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic in the semi-final.