The French Open made unwanted headlines on Thursday (AEST) after Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch and China’s Wang Xinyu refused to shake hands following an on-court row.
The incident that sparked the argument came at the end of the first set when Wang thought her shot was in, only for Korpatsch to be awarded the point.
Unlike the other three Grand Slams, electronic line calling is not in operation at Roland-Garros, with umpires using the ball marks on the clay to establish where it landed.
But Wang was having none of the decision, which gave Korpatsch set point, as she stormed over to the German’s side of the court to remonstrate with her opponent.
The Chinese player received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct as the crowd booed her as she made her way back to the baseline.
Korpatsch, who went on to win the second-round match 6-2 2-6 6-3, later claimed there were two marks on the court — one old and one new — but that both were out.
This was supported by the umpire and Hawk-Eye.
Wang and Korpatsch refused to shake hands at the end of the match as they met at the net and continued their row.
Following her defeat, Wang labelled Korpatsch “not a fair player,” an accusation the German strongly argued against.
Korpatsch said: “The chair umpire came down and showed the mark, and it was out. Also on the TV, they showed the Hawk-Eye and it was like 8mm out. She came on my side because she didn’t believe it.
“At the end, we didn’t have a handshake because she told me she’s not OK with the ball marks.
“I can’t say I’ll gift her the point. I’m a bit surprised because we have a good relationship, we’re not enemies.
“I didn’t offer her my hand because that’s not fair for me. She was unfair to come on my side, and I’m not an unfair player.
“I think she said something that she thought that I’m not a fair player or something like that, but I don’t know how.
“We have one of the best chair umpires on the court and I don’t know how to cheat, honestly. There are many cameras on court and they can check everything. For me, it would be embarrassing to cheat like that.”
Korpatsch will now face seventh seed Elina Svitolina in the third round.
