Cibulkova hits out at officials

London – Dominika Cibulkova launched a scathing attack on Wimbledon’s officials after a line call controversy marred her 6-4, 6-1 rout of Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei yesterday.

Cibulkova (above) was furious when Hsieh persuaded the umpire to replay a point that was initially called in the Slovak’s favour and would have given her three set points in the opening set.

Hsieh’s protests prompted the match referee to come on court to intervene as the argument lasted almost seven minutes before the point was finally replayed, much to Cibulkova’s disgust.

The 29-year-old channelled her anger to secure a fourth-round win over Hsieh – who had shocked world No 1 Simona Halep in the previous round.

“It was ridiculous. It has never happened to me in my career,” Cibulkova fumed.

“Sometimes I also complain when I think it is a wrong call. But it never happened to me that the umpire changed the decision.

“It was really ridiculous for me. I think it was a really bad decision.

“They changed their mind. The umpire told me she didn’t remember what happened after the ball. Is it my fault you don’t remember if she hit the net or if she put it on my side?”

Although Cibulkova complained about the decision, the former Australian Open finalist refocused to make her third Wimbledon quarterfinal.

She faces Latvian 12th seed Jelena Ostapenko, a former French Open champion, for a place in the semifinals. –