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Shame on Zhu: Chinese Qualifier Goes into Denial Mode to Score Controversial Set Point



During the second set of her 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Francesca Schiavone on Thursday at Indian Wells, Chinese qualifier Lin Zhu was caught red-handed pulling the most Machiavellian trick in the book—denying that she’d bounced this errant volley attempt on the hard court before it went over the net for the dirtiest of winners and set point (see complete video above).

More: Day 2 Indian Wells Photo Gallery

The Tennis Island has given a thorough account of the issue, replete with opinion, tweets, and direct quotes, and we recommend you check it out to get more details on the incident.

The Italian commentary makes it tricky to comprehend the dialog between Schiavone and Zhu, Schiavone audibly asks the umpire for an explanation in english, at which time the umpire tells the Italian he didn’t see the play (hard to understand that, given that umpires typically overrule line calls to within millimeters) while encouraging Schiavone to ask her opponent to come clean.

The 21-year-old, no doubt starved for a shot at a victory at such a prestigious and lucrative event (a victory earned her an additional $6,615 in prize money) disappointingly demurs when Schiavone puts the question to her.

At this time, like the rock star that she is, Schiavone reminds Zhu indignantly that she’s clearly committing a sin of sportsmanship. “It’s not good to lie,” she says, frowning. “You are 18 years old (Zhu is 21, but in sportsmanship years she may indeed be 18.”

Not good at all.

What would be good—we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—is a 15-second look at a video replay, which would have enabled the call to be made correctly.

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