Canada’s Milos Raonic beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (12), 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an epic first-round match at the National Bank Open in Toronto. Among the drama, on the deciding point of the first set a Raonic return clipped the tape on top of the net, popped up in the air and bounced on Tiafoe’s side. The American lunged forward and made a cross-court winner. However, unable to stop himself, Tiafoe grabbed the top of the net, which would normally cost him the point. The chair umpire, Fergus Murphy, initially called in Raonic’s favour, but quickly corrected himself and a second on-court official confirmed the decision. A Tennis Canada statement from the tournament referee, Tony Cho, explained the ruling: ‘Tiafoe touched the area between the singles stick and net post. This area is considered a permanent fixture so not part of the net.’
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