The second-round match between Sara Errani and Kiki Bertens at French Open 2020 contained plenty of controversial moments. This is the fifth professional meeting between the pair, and Bertens displayed incredible determination and grit to notch up her first-ever victory against the Italian. But at what cost?
As the game began, both athletes were fired up to post the win and it was evident right from the first set. Fifth-seeded Bertens took the first set in the tie-break and then conceded the second in poor fashion.
For Sara Errani, this is her grand slam comeback after a period of two years, and her rusty serve cost her a victory. She served three times for the match, but still ended up losing it. Errani is the 2012 runner-up at Roland Garros, but in the second round at the 2020 edition, she was clearly outplayed by her opponent who never seemed like giving up.
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What a shot to finish!
In a match with 24 breaks of serve, 5th seed Kiki Bertens saves survives her physical problems and the 2012 runner up Sara Errani, who had a MP and served three times for the match.
Bertens wins 7-6(5), 3-6, 9-7 and Errani doesn't wait to the racket tap. pic.twitter.com/Xfm1ECkUX0
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 30, 2020
Also, Errani missed balls tosses on multiple occasions, can consequently her serves were called off by the chair umpire due to the time violation factor.
😨 Rien ne va plus pour Sara Errani qui semble perdre complètement ses moyens…
L'Italienne récidive alors qu'elle servait une nouvelle fois pour le gain du set !#RG20🖥️ Le match à suivre en direct : https://t.co/5weFXq26og pic.twitter.com/bWNqTuy0yJ
— France tv sport (@francetvsport) September 30, 2020
Both athletes earned 12 breakpoints and 19 game wins each. But it was Kiki Bertens who held on tight, even with cramps spoiling her rhythm. Even though she had to receive treatment during the game, the Dutch athlete just showed why deserves it more.
After the victory, Bertens collapsed to the ground and had to receive treatment. After a long procedure, she was made to sit in a wheelchair and was taken off the court.
8 minutes after collapsing onto the ground, sobbing in her chair and then receiving long treatment with the physio and her team, Bertens was taken away in a wheelchair.
After hitting a ball into the stands, Errani left the court screaming "vaffanculo". Drama-free match. pic.twitter.com/HHZv3hH5tN
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) September 30, 2020
Sara Errani throws vile comments at Kiki Bertens and refuses to acknowledge her injury at French Open 2020
After losing the game, Kiki Bertens fell down to the ground in pain and was unable to cope with the cramps. Even though she received treatment from her physio for the same, her opponent Sara Errani refused to believe it.
In fact, after the game, Errani put forth her comments on the issue and said: “I don’t like when somebody is ‘playing’ with me. She left the court on a chair and now she is all good eating in the restaurant, I just saw her.”
Moreover, right after Errani lost her second-round game, she hit the ball in the stands and threw out obscene comments at her opponent which undeniably goes down as poor sportsmanship from the Italian.
No handshake/racket tap
Errani leaves the court shouting ‘va fanculo’ (no translation needed)
Bertens comes back to her chair crying
Absolute scenes pic.twitter.com/TvtI7sOhDT
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 30, 2020
Besides throwing the comments, Errani went further with her mockery and tired to enact Bertens screaming in pain. In the third set, Errani hit a winner and openly mocked Bertens by mimicking her actions.
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Errani openly mocking Bertens’ injury now… pic.twitter.com/bJnh3qywOq
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 30, 2020
After the game, Bertens had to be taken out in a wheelchair which came out as a disheartening sight. However, per a recent update, her injury isn’t much serious. Bertens had a laugh with the trainers while receiving treatment.
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Wheelchair out on court to assist Kiki Bertens back to the locker room.
Has been able to share some laughs with the trainers, showing them her hands stuck in cramp. Taking some pills from the doctor. #RG20 pic.twitter.com/JwlTED5KKO
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 30, 2020