WTA disqualifies Rodionova
Rodionova is only the second woman ever to be expelled from a WTA tournament
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Wednesday, 18, Jul 2007 09:03
Russia's Anastasia Rodionova has become only the second player ever to be disqualified from a competitive WTA match.
The 25-year-old was defaulted when she trailed 1-0 in the deciding set of her match against Germany's Angelique Kerber at the Cincinnati Open after she appeared to hit a ball at fans who were cheering her opponent.
Tournament referee William Coffey stepped in and expelled the Russian – a former Wimbledon mixed-doubles finalist in 2003 when she partnered American Andy Ram.
The only other player in the WTA's 36-year history to have been disqualified was Romanian Irina Spirlea, who was thrown out of a tournament in Palermo, Italy for using foul and abusive language towards the umpire.
Rodionova, who had not received a warning beforehand, said: "I'm shocked and upset. I still don't understand why they defaulted me."
The Russian claims she simply hit the ball in frustration at the cushioned barrier at the back of the court after losing a point.
"I had no warning. I didn't hit the ball at anybody. I didn't swear at anybody. I didn't throw my racket," she added.
Kerber was awarded a 4-6 6-4 1-0 victory and progresses automatically to the next round of the tournament.