After Anna Kalinskaya Robbed by ‘Crazy’ US Open Call Despite Her Protests, USTA Addresses ELC Malfunction
· Yahoo Sports
Anna Kalinskaya and Anna Blinkova’s first-round clash at the 2026 US Open was marred by controversy after Kalinskaya was hard done by an egregious electronic line-calling error. The USTA later issued a statement addressing the malfunction, acknowledging that the situation was not handled correctly.
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Anna Kalinskaya Voices Frustration After US Open Line-Calling Malfunction
Kalinskaya made a strong start to her showdown with Blinkova at the New York Major, winning the opening set 6-4. The controversy erupted when Kalinskaya served at 2-2, 40-15 in the second set and ended the rally with what appeared to be a stellar forehand winner.
However, the shot was called out by the electronic line-calling system, much to the disbelief of Kalinskaya, who immediately asked for a replay.
Although the chair umpire acquiesced, the replay failed to appear on the stadium screen. Instead, a replay of a serve that had landed well out was shown, offering no clarity on the disputed forehand.
While the television broadcast showed the ball landing in, that footage was not available to the players and officials on Court 5. Kalinskaya then approached the umpire to protest the call, but the decision was upheld.
“It was like this (indicating a large gap with her hands) in,” Kalinskaya said to the umpire.
“It was very close to the line. I don’t know whether it was in or out, so we have to go with the call,” the umpire responded.
“You are here to watch!” she said.
Kalinskaya then asked that the supervisor be called to the court as she continued to argue against the “crazy” call, but the umpire denied her request.
“Why would I listen to this crazy call?” she said.
The 27-year-old went on to lose that game, which she could have closed out had the electronic line-calling system not erred. Despite the setback, Kalinskaya maintained her composure to claim a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Blinkova and book her spot in the second round.
A USTA spokesperson later provided a statement to The Athletic, acknowledging that the ELC system had malfunctioned, resulting in the shot being incorrectly called out. The spokesperson also revealed that the officials failed to follow the correct protocol, as a video review should have been used in such a situation.
“At 40-15 in the fifth game of the second set, a malfunction with the ELC Live system caused a shot hit by Kalinskaya to be inaccurately called out. At this point, complete protocols were not followed by the officials involved in the match, which led to video review not being utilized. In this case, video review should have been applicable,” the statement read.
No. 21 seed Anna Kalinskaya is set to take on Wang Xinyu in the second round of the US Open. If she wins the match and advances to the third round, the Russian will face either No. 9 seed Elina Svitolina or Maya Joint, with Karolína Muchová and Emma Navarro looming among her potential fourth-round opponents.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.