Picture Credit: Twitter
The Davis Cup 2023 match between Frances Tiafoe and Tallon Griekspoor was filled with drama on September 14, Thursday. The match that led to a tie ended with Netherlands claiming a win over 6-3, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), and giving the Dutch a 2-0 lead after Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Tommy Paul 7-6(2), 6-2. The game saw Tiafoe being handed a penalty point for smashing the racquet repeatedly after he was down a match point in the final set of the tiebreaker.
While the game between Tiafoe and Griekspoor was 2-5, the latter called for a challenge and was awarded with a point. This clearly left the American unhappy and he went on to argue with the chair umpire as well as the tournament referee. The 25-year-old claimed that the point should be replayed but not availed.
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However, the World Number 11 player smashed his racquet in frustration, which led to the umpire giving the point penalty for racquet abuse. This led to a 6-3, 6-7(7), 7-6(2) of Griekspoor and the Netherlands team extended their winning lead 2-0.
The USA team of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram defeated Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-3 to reduce their shortfall against the Dutch team and took the tally to 2-1. With this Netherlands have won both their ties in the Group D; however, their clash against Croatia will decide who will move to the finale.
