TENNIS star Holger Rune was labelled a “cheat” by fuming fans after winning a point following a double bounce.
During the third set of Rune’s match with Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round of the French Open, Cerundolo appeared to have won a point after the ball bounced twice on Rune’s side of the court.
Holger Rune was labelled a ‘cheat’ after being awarded a point after a double bounceRex
Twitter / @eurosportFrancisco Cerundolo’s shot towards the opposite side Rune was on[/caption]
Twitter / @eurosportWhich left Rune scrambling to get it[/caption]
Twitter / @eurosportBut the ball bounced twice before Rune could get there[/caption]
Twitter / @eurosportHowever, the umpire gave the point to Rune after Cerundolo smashed the ball away believing the point had already been won[/caption]
However, umpire Kader Nouni sensationally awarded a point to sixth seed Rune instead.
Cerundolo, 24, was penalised for smashing the ball away after believing he had won the point, with a ball kid also entering the court also believing it was a foregone conclusion.
The impact of the call would go on to be felt as Argentine Cerundolo saw Rune break his serve at the end of the game.
Rune, 20, went on the win the set too, as disgusted fans reacted online.
One fan said: “So very clear, no doubt! .”
A second wrote: “Unsportsmanlike behaviour from Rune, should have said something to the umpire.”
“Usual Rune snakey behaviour as well,” a third typed.
A fourth declared: “If you’re calling Rune a cheat…then you’d be right.”
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A fifth remarked: “What a cheap cheat that Rune guy is!”
“Rune is such a cheat,” added a sixth, while another said: “Rune what a cheat.”
During a change of ends in the game, Cerundolo berated Nouni, telling him: “You have made a huge mistake.”
With Rolland Garros entering its final week, there is £43million up for grabs in the prize pot.
The winner of the men’s tournament will win £2m.
The tennis major has already seen its share of controversy, with Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi being booted out after reducing a ball girl to tears.