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0 It was over before it started for Australian Marc Polmans, who was disqualified from the ATP Tour 1000 Shanghai Masters, after hitting the umpire with the ball during his qualifying match.
Up by a set and with the score level at 6-6 (6-6) in the second frame, Polmans was furious he missed his chance to wrap up the match when hit a return to the net.
When the ball bounced back towards him, he smashed it, hitting British umpire Ben Anderson at close range into the face.
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It’s understood Anderson escaped serious injury, with a tournament representative saying he was struck on the cheek and nose and had returned to his hotel to rest.
The world No.140 will not take home any prize money or ranking points earned during qualifying, having won his first match against Alibek Kachmazov.
“Really hope the umpire is OK. They should be safe working in their environment. No excuses for this,” said veteran Aussie player John Millman on X.
“No one would feel worse than Marc about this. He’s possibly the nicest person I know.”
The incident was strikingly similar to the one where Denis Shapovalov was defaulted and fined after hitting a chair umpire in the eye with a ball during a Davis Cup tie in 2017. The umpire on that occasion, Arnaud Gabas, suffered a fractured eye socket and needed surgery.
Meantime, four Australians reached the main draw in Shanghai from qualifying to make the opening round.
Top seed in qualifying Rinky Hijikata won in straight sets while James Duckworth also qualified.
There were also wins for World No.256 Dane Sweeny and world No.292 Philip Sekulic.
