'That was trash': Kyrgios slams girlfriend's opponent in controversial loss
Nick Kyrgios has led a chorus of criticism against Dayana Yastremska after a controversial act of ‘gamesmanship’ helped her beat Ajla Tomljanovic.
Tomljanovic missed out on a first WTA tournament win as Yastremska fought back from 2-5 down in the final set to claim the Thailand Open in Hua Hin.
Ukrainian Yastremska was just two points from defeat at deuce in the decider, but turned it around to win the match 6-2 2-6 7-6 (7-3) in two hours, 22 minutes.
Chasing her first career crown, sixth-seeded Tomljanovic found herself up against it as 18-year-old Yastremska came out of the blocks quickly, wrapping up the first set in 33 minutes.
In the second, Tomljanovic, with the score tied at two games apiece, dominated play with some solid baseline strikes, forcing Yastremska into a string of unforced errors and losing four games in a row as she dropped the set in 31 minutes.
Yastremska, who claimed the championship at Hong Kong just four months ago, broke for a 2-0 lead in the decider but after losing the next five games to trail 2-5, called for a trainer to treat her left leg.
Tomljanovic complained to the umpire about the convenient timing of the timeout, and appeared to let the incident get in her head.
The Aussie questioned the umpire about whether Yastremnska had specified her injury.
“No, she didn’t tell me,” the umpire replied.
“Every umpire is supposed to ask a player … I always get asked,” Tomljanovic fumed.
“I cannot deny her,” Zhang said.
On resumption, Tomljanovic failed to serve out the match and dropped four-straight games to trail 6-5.
Then in the tie-break, Yastremska took full charge with some deep groundstrokes, eventually blasting a forehand winner on her first match point to wrap up the victory.
However the timing of the medical timeout left fans fuming, with many suggesting Yastremska was simply trying to disrupt Tomljanovic’s rhythm before she had to serve for the match.
Some went as far as to say the 18-year-old had cheated.
That medical was trash 🤦🏽♂️
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 3, 2019
Not good medical timeout at 2-5 in 3' set….
— MisterNo🇮🇹 (@cellamare1969) February 3, 2019
Ill effects after injury timeout mysteriously disappeared.
— Jonathan (@GoldenViews00) February 3, 2019
There is no "strategic" time out in tennis. There is only medical and bathroom breaks. She abused a medical timeout and should be called out on it.
— Tommy (@tommymas1) February 3, 2019
She was down 2-5 in 3rd set and called a timeout to get her knee massage. Awful sportsmanship! I was very disappointed a young upcoming player resorted to this tactic to win. Ajlva is the true winner, she didnt cheat to win.
— sthomas0104@gmail.com (@sthomas0104gma1) February 3, 2019
@D_Yastremska you were wrong to take a medical timeout when you wete down 2-5 in 3rd set. Very poor sportsmanship.
— sthomas0104@gmail.com (@sthomas0104gma1) February 3, 2019
@WTA Yastremska just stole this match. At 2-5, she called for medical timeout clearly to break Tomljanovic’s concentration. This is stuff for kids on the @ITFprocircuit not to be allowed on WTA tour. It’s a shame! She played well but she didn’t win this right.
— Ocasio-Cortez (@osarpong) February 3, 2019
Keep up talking MTO's when your opponent takes the lead and soll you will join the player list of bad sportsmanship!!!
So, no congrats 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼— 🎾TennisFan🎾 (@TennisFan1610) February 3, 2019
I don’t support you faking an injury when you are about to lose. Have some respect
— Sadp Ric (@sadpRik) February 3, 2019
Another medical time out cheat to add to the books then…
— Neil (@tothabrink) February 3, 2019
Tomljanovic looked to be fuming after the final point, sharing a very frosty handshake with her opponent.
She then failed to congratulate Yastremska in her runner-up speech.
“I’m really happy that I made it to Thailand and played this week,” said the Aussie.
“This is one of the nicest tournaments I’ve been to so far.
“Lots of players who lost stayed extra days, which doesn’t usually happen.”
While her opponent claimed her second career title, Tomljanovic now has fallen to 0-4 in WTA singles finals.
with AAP