:focal(1328x352:1330x350)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2025/01/21/4087439-82886428-2560-1440.jpg?ssl=1 "Loopy second a FEATHER stops play as Zverev asks umpire 'are you insane?'")
There was a unprecedented second throughout the quarter-finals of the Australian Open when a let was known as mid-rally due to a feather.
The incident occurred throughout Alexander Zverev’s last-eight encounter with Tommy Paul on Rod Laver Area, with the German a arrange however a break down within the second set.
Paul, serving at 4-2 and deuce, despatched a serve down, with the 2 gamers partaking and moving into the rally as a feather started to descend in the direction of the court docket.
Chair umpire Nacho Forcadell known as a let simply as Zverev was hitting a sliced backhand, which understandably riled the world No. 2.
“What?!” Zverev cried as he virtually sank to his knees in disbelief.
“Due to a feather? Are you insane? Due to a feather? I imply, what is that this? Buddy, it’s a feather. There’s thousands and thousands of them on the court docket. There’s one there, there’s one there, there’s one there.”
Within the Eurosport commentary field, Miles Maclagan shared his sympathy with Zverev, who was very invested in what was an important a part of the set and match.
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Video credit score: Eurosport
“There’s a feather coming down or one thing?” famous Chris Bradnam.
“I need to say, I’ve bought some sympathy with Zverev this time round. Significantly as he was into the rally. We’ve had a feather trigger a little bit of drama earlier than,” Maclagan replied.
“The place’s Rufus while you want him?” requested Bradnam, referring to the hawk at Wimbledon that deters pigeons from interfering with play on the All England Membership.
Zverev continued his dialogue with Forcadell, who tried to clarify to the German {that a} let needed to be performed if one thing fell onto the court docket mid-point.
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‘That can do it’ – Watch successful second as Zverev delivers ace to beat Paul
Video credit score: Eurosport
Nevertheless, the second seed argued that it was only a feather, and that it was having no affect on the purpose as much as then.
In the end, the incident would imply nothing for the consequence, with Zverev triumphing in 4 units – truly turning the second set round to win it – 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1.
Zverev will play the winner of the mouth-watering quarter-final conflict between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz within the semi-finals.