Anna Kalinskaya beat Anna Blinkova 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the US Open 2026, but one sequence on Court 5 overshadowed the result.
What Happened During Anna Kalinskaya's US Open Match?
With the No. 21 seed serving at 40-15 in the second set, her crosscourt forehand landed inside the sideline. The electronic line-call system ruled it out anyway.
An ELC Live malfunction triggered the wrong call, and when officials attempted a replay, the screen showed footage from a completely different point. Broadcast cameras later confirmed the ball was well inside the line.
Kalinskaya pushed back immediately, gesturing toward the mark and telling the chair umpire, "You are here to watch!"
She requested a supervisor, but the umpire denied it, insisting the ball was too close to overrule. Despite dropping that game, she regrouped and closed out the match without much trouble.
USTA Apologizes for Electronic Line-Call Error
The USTA addressed the electronic line-call error afterward, confirming a system malfunction caused the incorrect call. Officials also failed to follow protocol, the governing body said. Video review should have been initiated when the replay glitched, but it never was.
Kalinskaya next faces Elina Svitolina in the third round of play at Flushing Meadows, hopefully without any technical drama.
