(VIDEO) “So even if you see that it’s out, you cannot overrule?” - Mirra Andreeva indulges in heated argument with umpire over electronic line calling enroute to victory

Mirra Andreeva is into a third WTA 1000 final after taking down Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 7-6(8) in the Madrid Open. It was a match which she dominated, keeping her composure and emotions in check after a hectic week in the Spanish capital. However, there was one instant in the semi-final that got her riled up.

The electronic line calling has been a contentious discussion all week. Many players, including most notably Elena Rybakina, have shared their distaste about it off the back of some very close calls not going the way they expect.

This was similar to what Andreeva experienced against the American. At 2-2 in the first set, Baptiste hit a forehand which clipped the back of the baseline. The tight call was showcased on the screens in Manolo Santana, which drew some thoughts from the 19-year-old, not happy about that being called in.

Umpire Kader Nouni tried to cool the situation. “You know how it works, right? You know how it works. Unfortunately I had the green light, it’s what it is, now we have to go for it.

Andreeva replied: “So even if you see that it’s out, you cannot overrule?” Nouni argued back: “I mean, exactly. First of all, I haven’t seen this one out.”

Andreeva suggested that the ball was out by a large margin. “But this is not even like this [close], this is like that [gestures large gap].” Nouni responded: “Yeah, but between the ball and the mark there is a difference.”

Andreeva continued: “But this is like that, we’re not talking about this, this is that. This is like five centimetres we’re talking about.” The umpire reasoned with her, but could not do anything. “I do understand you, but I have the green light and I have to follow.”

The discourse continued as Baptiste held her serve to go 3-2 to the good. “I understand that you cannot overrule. But as players, what do we do?" she asked.

“That’s a good question,” Nouni answered. “But I think you need to know exactly how it works. Sometimes what you see, you see the mark, you see space. But the bounce, the image." Andreeva replied: “I know, I know that sometimes it happens, especially on the serve, but this is just, you haven’t seen the mark. The Nouni said: “For me, I think it is quite close.”

The Russian continued to plea her case, but to no avail. “Yeah quite close – it’s this. This is not close. I understand that you cannot do anything but as players, this can mean a lot. For you just one point but for players sometimes it’s a lot." Nouni closed out the argument. “I know. I do understand your point. But technically and by the procedure, nothing I can do.”

This in Madrid has been common in the past, but it would not prevent Andreeva from producing a very solid performance. She defeated Baptiste in straight sets, and will either play Marta Kostyuk or Anastasia Potapova in Sunday's final.