Walha-Weaver penalised for court violation

CHANDIGARH, Feb 11: Ahmed Walha of Pakistan and Mark Weaver of Great Britain were penalised for court violation while playing in the boys doubles semi-final of the Centurion ITF Tennis Circuit here this evening. They were playing the top seeds Kedar Shah and Karan Doctor of India. With Kedar Shah serving at 5-3, 40-15 in the third set, Ahmed Walha repeatedly hit the ball hard against the board. After a warning, he was penalised a point. The Indian pair won 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3. After the penalty point was given, Walha deliberately hit the ball against the chair umpire.

Earlier, in the second set it was Mark Weaver who was given warning for audible obscenity.

The AITA supervisor Dushan Deo said that the matter would be reported to the ITF. According to rules, these players stand to lose five ITF points each.

In the other semi-final, Akshay Vishal Rao and Sunil Kumar beat Kedar Tembe and Alok Bhide 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.