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Home  » Sports » 'Overrule' umpire Alves to sit out

'Overrule' umpire Alves to sit out

By Simon Cambers in New York
September 08, 2004 12:22 IST
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Mariana Alves, the umpire at the centre of the controversial U.S. Open quarter-final between Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams on Tuesday, will not officiate at any more matches in this year's event.

At deuce in the opening game of the third set, Portuguese Alves overruled a backhand from Williams, calling it out after it had clearly landed inside the line and been deemed good by the line judge.

"Regrettably, the replay on television showed that an incorrect overrule was made," tournament referee Brian Earley said in a statement.

"A mistake was made and I have discussed the call with Ms Alves. Ms Alves is not scheduled to officiate another match during the 2004 U.S. Open."

Though Alves's overrule was inaudible on television, and Williams said she thought the call was a score mistake, replays proved the ball was clearly in.

Capriati went on to win the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, leaving fellow American Williams claiming she had been "robbed".

At Wimbledon earlier this year, British umpire Ted Watts was stood down after a bizarre incident in which he incorrectly gave Karolina Sprem a point she should not have been awarded, against Venus Williams, Serena's sister.

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Simon Cambers in New York
Source: REUTERS
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