Ball kid hindrance, VAR review, and underarm aces - Alexander Bublik, Felix Auger-Aliassime deliver drama in Dubai

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Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik were locked at 6-6 in the first set tie-breaker when the VAR review system was used to determined whether a ball kid had hindered Auger-Aliassime as he attempted to play a shot. After the review, Bublik followed up by hitting an underarm ace which earned the applause of the crowd. Auger-Aliassime went on to win in three sets.

Felix Auger-Aliassime

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A VAR review for hindrance by a ball kid was followed by an underarm ace on set point, as Alexander Bublik and Felix Auger-Aliassime served up the drama in their Dubai Tennis Championships match.

The pair were locked in a battle at 6-6 in the first set tie-breaker when Bublik thought he had won a point with a smash.

The ball bounced high towards the back of the court and although Auger-Aliassime stretched to reach it, he couldn’t get the ball back in play.

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However, as Bublik celebrated, Auger-Aliassime argued to the umpire that a ball kid had stepped forward too far and prevented him from hitting the ball properly. He asked for a video review and the umpire obliged.

"Felix Auger-Aliassime is requesting the video replay whether the ball kid on the left side hindered him," said umpire Miriam Bley.

Bublik appeared surprised by the announcement but Auger-Aliassime told him: "The ball kid didn't wait for the ball, he went to the ball and moved into it. The ball kid moved in my way."

The umpire then watched the replay that showed the ball kid at the back corner of the court stepping forward in an attempt to catch the ball, just as Auger-Aliassime went to hit it.

"As the ball kid was stepping out and anticipating to catch the ball while the ball was still in play, it was a hindrance and we are going to replay the point," announced Bley.

The decision was a blow to Bublik as he had to serve again at 6-6 instead of being 7-6 ahead.

So what did he do? Hit an underarm second-serve ace, of course.

Auger-Aliassime didn’t even move for the return and looked unimpressed as Bublik soaked in the applause of the cheering crowd.

Auger-Aliassime did have the last laugh, though, as Bublik double-faulted down set point and this time it was the Canadian’s turn to engage the crowd - cupping his ear with a broad smile on his face as he walked back his chair.

Bublik won the second set in a tie-breaker and then showed himself to be a crowd-pleaser again as he saved a match point in the third set with an underarm serve.

But Auger-Aliassime eventually won the match 7-6(7) 6-7(4) 6-3 to book his place in the next round.

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