Alexandra Eala’s second-round clash against Laura Siegemund at the Miami Open was briefly marred by controversy after the Filipina raised a time violation concern with the chair umpire. The moment unfolded midway through her second service game of the second set, when Eala openly expressed her frustration over Siegemund’s conduct.
This is not the first time Siegemund has bothered her opponent by delaying points. Coco Gauff went through a similar experience in her first-round match at the 2023 US Open, en route to her maiden Grand Slam title.
What Sparked Alexandra Eala’s Time Violation Complaint at the Miami Open
It was a grueling encounter, lasting 3 hours and 20 minutes and requiring the best efforts from both players. Eala went ahead early, building a 3-0 lead, but Siegemund responded, using her experience to claw her way back into the set.
The 38-year-old won four of the next five games to restore parity before the closing stages turned tense. Siegemund eventually forced a tiebreak and won the set 7-6 (6).
The flashpoint arrived in the second set with Eala ahead 2-1, 30-15. After the Filipina’s wayward ball toss disrupted her service motion, her opponent walked back toward the baseline and appeared to raise a concern with the chair umpire.
The official, however, indicated that the Filipina already had 6 seconds left and any breach would be addressed if she exceeded the allotted time. For context, players are typically given 25 seconds between points, and exceeding that limit results in a time violation. Additionally, the opponent is expected to play at the server’s pace.
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“She’s going to be spoken [to]. Talk to me. She’s going to be told. Same as you, she’s going to be spoken to,” the chair umpire said.
“Can you watch her time, because many times she’s delaying,” Eala said. However, the umpire replied, “The time has been watched and she knows. And you as well, you need to be careful of the clock.”
Defending her stance, Eala said, “I was about to serve,” and the umpire replied, “Yes, you had six seconds left, that’s what I explained to her, but both of you need to have a look at the clock.”
“Yeah but she stopped the point. I was about to serve and she turned around,” Eala responded and clarified that she was informing the chair umpire beforehand, just as she was about to serve.
Coco Gauff Faced a Similar Time Violation Incident With Laura Siegemund
Incidentally, Siegemund’s infamous routines got on Gauff’s nerves, too. A similar flashpoint emerged during the first round of the 2023 US Open, a three-set match that the American barely survived. During the contest, she argued heatedly with the chair umpire, insisting the German had repeatedly taken too long between points without any consequences.
“She’s never ready when I’m serving. She went over the clock like four times, you gave her a time violation once. How is this fair?” Gauff said at the time.
“I’ve been quiet the whole match. I didn’t even clap for the time violation but she’s been missing for like six points,” she added. “I didn’t say nothing but now it’s ridiculous. I don’t care what she’s doing on her serve. My serve, she has to be ready.”
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Siegemund, however, defended herself by claiming Gauff was rushing through her service routine, leaving her little time to reset or even reach for her towel. As she attempted to explain her stance, the crowd jeered loudly.
Nonetheless, play resumed swiftly, and the 31st seed responded with composure and authority. She broke Siegemund early in both sets and wrapped them up 6-3, 6-3 to seal her place in the third round.
The world No. 29 will next face Magda Linette, who stunned Iga Świątek in the second round. According to PFSN’s exclusive simulator, the Filipina has a 56% chance of reaching the fourth round.
