JAMIE SLAMS LACK OF HAWK-EYE
JAMIE MURRAY has questioned the ‘unfair’ lack of Hawk-Eye cameras on the fringe courts, claiming they should be mandatory for all Grand Slam matches. Only six of the 18 courts at the All England Club use the electronic line-calling system and Murray believes players without Hawk-Eye are at a disadvantage. He was one of those yesterday as he and doubles partner Bruno Soares were stationed on Court No 5 for their 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 first-round win against Czech duo Jiri Vesely and Roman Jebavy. Murray said: ‘I know it is not always possible with the layout of certain courts but the use of Hawk-Eye should be a lot more than they have, definitely. ‘I hope it gets to the point at all Slams where every court has Hawk-Eye, because it is not fair that the top players are protected on the big courts and we are out in the bushes and stuff happens that we can’t do anything about.’ The placement of the third seeds on Court No 5 also raised eyebrows with Murray’s partner. Brazilian Soares, who won two Slams with the Scot in 2016, said: ‘On Court No 5 literally it is 50 people. It is difficult for our friends and family to see, so imagine for the rest of the people. Jamie is not going to say that but I will say it. For what he brings to British tennis, I don’t think it is nice.’ Meanwhile, Laura Robson and Jocelyn Rae pulled off an upset by knocking out 11th seeds Raquel Atawo and Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the doubles. Heather Watson and Naomi Broady are also through after beating Harriet Dart and Katy Dunne 7-5, 6-4.