WTA: Rome: Furious Pliskova punches hole in referee chair

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova was furious and punched a hole in the referee’s chair at the WTA tournament in Rome. After her 6:3, 3:6, 5:7 defeat against the Greek Maria Sakkari, the Czech beat the “high seat” three times with her racket, the side tore.

The reason for the outburst was a decision in the decisive third set. At 5:5 and 30:30, a blow from Pliskova Aus was dealt. She claimed to be sure she recognized the print.

But neither the referee nor the linesman could recognize any more marks. That was the point:

The 26-year-old complained without success, Sakkari got the chance to break. Pliskova lost the game and a little later also the match. She waived a handshake with the referee and went over the chair instead.

Only last week Pliskova reached the semi-finals in Madrid, where she lost to her countrywoman Petra Kvitova.