Aryna Sabalenka gathers evidence as umpire refuses to check dubious mark again at Stuttgart Open

Aryna Sabalenka thrashed Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Stuttgart Open but it was absolute cinema for a different reason as the World No.1 got her phone out during the match to gather evidence.

Sabalenka had a call not go her way and with no Electronic Line Calling, she decided to go about it a different way using her mobile to take a picture of the mark to show to the referee.

Ironically she was 4-3 down to Mertens to start the tie and when this moment happened. But she ended up using it as motivation instead of a way to throw the game away.

She only lost one more game in the whole match and will be in the semi-finals tomorrow against Jasmine Paolini who has just defeated Coco Gauff. The other half sees Alexandrova face Ostapenko after Iga Swiatek was defeated earlier today.

"I felt the referee was p****d by the picture I took. When I gave her a handshake, that was a very interesting look and a strong handshake. I've never had that before, but yeah," said Sabalenka.

"Why would I play this game with someone like her," responded Sabalenka when asked if she squeezed back during the handshake.