DRAMATIC MOMENT ZVEREV USES PHONE AS EVIDENCE FOR 'MISTAKE IN THE SYSTEM'

Alexander Zverev felt he had no option but to take a photo of a ball mark on his phone. (Tennis TV/ATP)

The hot topic of electronic line calling on clay has caused a contentious moment in Alexander Zverev's third-round match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Madrid.

Gone are the days of umpires leaving their chairs and checking ball marks, with electronic line calling coming into effect on clay for the first time this season.

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However, in a crucial stage of the match with Zverev trailing 2-6 5-4, the top-seed was adamant that his opponent’s shot was nowhere near close to being deemed in.

"Look at this mark. Please just come down, look at it. Don’t overrule it, please. Just come down, please. Just for me," begged Zverev to chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani.

Lahyani replied with his hands tied behind his back, arguing: "We are not allowed. Alexander, the system gave a decision. It’s the same for both of you. You have to accept it."

"Then there’s a mistake in the system because this ball is like this [far] out," Zverev continued as he argued his case. "Look at it, please. The ball is like this [far] out. Then there is a malfunction. Because I look at the mark now on the serve, it’s also out but like this. The forehand is like this."

With the pro-Spanish crowd venting their frustration at Zverev with boos and whistles, the world No.2 walked over to his racquet bag to collect his phone, as he walked back to the mark to take a photo as evidence.

Lahyani dished out a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, after the umpire had told Zverev to stop.

The 28-year-old rallied back to win the match in a third-set tiebreak, but he was quick to log onto his Instagram account after the match to post the photo he took on his story.

(Alexander Zverev's Instagram)

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