Murray Gets Lucky As Hawk Eye Goes Blind
Andy Murray beat Ivan Ljubicic 7-5, 7-6 to reach the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells
There was no 30th birthday present for Ivan Ljubicic as Andy Murray beat the frustrated Croat 7-5, 7-6 to reach the semi-final of the BNP Paribas Open in a match that ended in controversy last night.
At 4-4 in the second set Murray challenged a call when he had reached break point. HawkEye showed the ball hitting the line but it was the second bounce. The operator, who puts the HawkEye replay up on the screen, had missed the fact that Murray's shot bounced outside the line first and then on the line.
"I didn't play the ball because it was so clearly out," said a bitterly disappointment Ljubicic afterwards. Perhaps the Croat was doubly upset because he had been a member of the ATP board of directors for six months last year and, over the past few years, was one of the decision makers among the players. "We brought in HawkEye to control human error and then this happens," he said. "It's the first time I have ever known it happen and what a time for it to happen – on break point. The point was replayed but I was still thinking about it and missed my shot."
Ljubicic talked to Murray afterwards and asked him why he had challenged a ball that was so obviously out. "Andy said he saw me hesitate, so he thought I might as well," Ljubicic said, smiling. "I don't blame him. None of us are sure about HawkEye."
Murray, who was due to play doubles with Ross Hutchins later, said he felt he served well in the tie-break but admitted: "Obviously I got pretty lucky with that call.
"It was just human error, which can happen, but I don't think it had a huge bearing on the outcome of the match. I must say I am a little surprised to be in the semi-final. It was not something I was thinking about at the start of the week but I have just been getting a little bit better every day."
At 4-4 in the second set Murray challenged a call when he had reached break point. HawkEye showed the ball hitting the line but it was the second bounce. The operator, who puts the HawkEye replay up on the screen, had missed the fact that Murray's shot bounced outside the line first and then on the line.
"I didn't play the ball because it was so clearly out," said a bitterly disappointment Ljubicic afterwards. Perhaps the Croat was doubly upset because he had been a member of the ATP board of directors for six months last year and, over the past few years, was one of the decision makers among the players. "We brought in HawkEye to control human error and then this happens," he said. "It's the first time I have ever known it happen and what a time for it to happen – on break point. The point was replayed but I was still thinking about it and missed my shot."
Ljubicic talked to Murray afterwards and asked him why he had challenged a ball that was so obviously out. "Andy said he saw me hesitate, so he thought I might as well," Ljubicic said, smiling. "I don't blame him. None of us are sure about HawkEye."
Murray, who was due to play doubles with Ross Hutchins later, said he felt he served well in the tie-break but admitted: "Obviously I got pretty lucky with that call.
"It was just human error, which can happen, but I don't think it had a huge bearing on the outcome of the match. I must say I am a little surprised to be in the semi-final. It was not something I was thinking about at the start of the week but I have just been getting a little bit better every day."
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