A Russian tennis player has been disqualified from an ITF Tour match for making peculiar gestures towards the chair umpire, despite being well ahead in the contest.
Ranked No.405 in the world, Svyatoslav Gulin was only two games away from securing a win against Alejo Sanchez Quilez in their M25 Sabadell encounter, having just taken a double-break lead in the final set when he lost his composure.
Gulin achieved the double-break when Sanchez Quilez hit a ball beyond the baseline, putting the score at 7-5, 3-6, 4-0 in favour of Gulin. Instead of celebrating his point, he turned abruptly towards the umpire, shouting while gesturing towards his lower body.
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After walking towards the baseline, Gulin turned back again to repeat the gesture towards the official.
Svyatoslav Gulin was in the lead when he made the gesture. Tennis Letter
Shortly thereafter, Sanchez Quilez approached the umpire’s chair, followed by Gulin, who was then defaulted from the match.
The ITF rulebook stipulates: “The ITF Supervisor/Referee may declare a default for any misconduct violation of the Code.”
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The ITF confirmed that Sanchez Quilez, who entered the tournament as a wildcard, progressed to the second round due to Gulin’s disqualification.
Currently, Gulin is ranked at a career-high position of No.405 and had recently enjoyed an impressive eight-match winning streak before his disqualification.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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