Indian Wells is named the unofficial fifth Grand Slam, and with it brings the drama and controversy of a giant event.
The second-round conflict between Donna Vekic and Lesia Tsurenko was no exception, with Tsurenko coming again to win in a shock upset over the world No. 23.
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Tsurenko, ranked ninety fifth on this planet, needed to qualify for Indian Wells this 12 months, however got here again from a first-set 2-6 loss to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Post-match formalities have been frosty, nevertheless, with Vekic refusing to shake fingers.
The Croatian packed her luggage and left the court docket rapidly with out acknowledging Tsurenko.
Social media blew up over the Monterrey Open winner’s snub, with followers on Twitter calling it “poor sportsmanship”.
“Backstory doesn’t matter,” stated one fan.
“Vekic should have shook Tsurenko’s hand after the match.”
Another stated it was “complete disrespect”.
“Being a sore loser is one thing, but refusing a handshake is a complete disrespect towards the opponent.
“Completely unacceptable.”
A fan account for Donna Vekic on Twitter stated that Tsurenko had been “acting like (she was) about to retire after every point to slow the game”, and that she’d been “doing it for years.”
Broadcaster David Law stated Vekic “was not having any of it today” on the Tennis Podcast.
“She kept that intensity even after the match had concluded. What a competitor,” he stated.
Tsurenko has misplaced by retirement or walkover in eight of the final 17 WTA tournaments she’s competed in since final 12 months’s Masters.
Source: www.news.com.au
