Fueled by fracas, Hsieh, Strycova make Open final

CZECH MATES? A line-call challenge fiercely disputed by Barbora Strycova led to an ill-tempered semi-final against her compatriots, which the world No. 1 called a ‘catfight’

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 30, 2020
By: Dave Carroll  /  Staff reporter, with AP, MELBOURNE

Barbora Strycova yesterday erupted at the umpire after a contentious line call in her women’s

doubles semi-final, but the Czech and Taiwanese partner Hsieh Su-wei had the last laugh in an often heated match as they booked a spot in tomorrow’s final at the Australian Open.

However, there will be no Taiwanese showdown at Melbourne Park after the Chan sisters were ousted in the second semi-final at Margaret Court Arena.

Strycova berated chair umpire John Bloom in the first set of the top seeds’ semi-final against fellow Czechs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova after he allowed the fourth seeds to challenge a line call, despite two more shots being played in the rally.

Strycova called for the tournament referee, yelling: “You know I am right,” but the benefit went with her opponents after Hawk-Eye showed that Strycova’s shot had gone long.    [FULL  STORY]