Zverev given warning after photo to dispute ball mark

Top seed Alexander Zverev received a warning at the Madrid Open. He took a picture of a disputed ball mark during his match. This incident added to the ongoing line-calling controversy on clay courts.

Zverev, ranked number two in the world, faced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. He won the match with scores of 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), and 7-6 (7-0). However, the victory was overshadowed by a dispute over a call.

In the second set's tenth game, Zverev believed Fokina's backhand shot was out. The electronic system called it in, which frustrated Zverev. He told umpire Mohamed Lahyani there was a "malfunction in the system."

When his appeals were ignored, Zverev took out his phone and photographed the mark. As a result, he received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. Despite this, he won both tie-breaks in the second and third sets.

Clay events have traditionally used line judges to resolve disputes. However, this season has seen their removal from ATP and WTA events. The French Open next month will still use line judges.

This incident follows another recent controversy involving Aryna Sabalenka. She also received a warning for taking a photo during her match in Stuttgart earlier this month. Additionally, Victoria Azarenka shared an image of another disputed call from Madrid on social media.

In other matches in Madrid, defending champion Andrey Rublev lost to Alexander Bublik with scores of 6-4, 0-6, and 6-4. This defeat will drop Rublev out of the world's top 15 rankings.

In women's singles action, top seed Aryna Sabalenka came back to beat Elise Mertens after losing the first set. She won with scores of 3-6, 6-2, and 6-1.

However, third seed Jessica Pegula and sixth seed Jasmine Paolini were eliminated from the tournament. Pegula lost to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima with scores of 6-3 and 6-2. Paolini fell to Greece's Maria Sakkari with scores of 6-2 and 6-1.