Things took an unexpected turn at the Queen's Club on Wednesday when the power went out. Clare Balding intervened when a second-round clash of the HSBC Championships was suspended due to a technical fault.
Francisco Cerundolo was taking on Jenson Brooksby in the final match of the day on the Andy Murray Arena, when both players found themselves waiting on court during the second game after a localised power failure caused the electronic line-calling system to malfunction.
Chair umpire James Keothavong instructed the players to "stop for a few minutes" before confirming a power problem had occurred. Balding subsequently informed viewers at home that the situation was problematic due to the deployment of automated line calling at ATP Tour fixtures, meaning no line judges were present to make the decisions.
"They've got an issue with power. As you heard, James Keovathong say, there is an issue with power on court, and also in our commentary box, a localised power cut here at Queen's. Andrew Castle is alongside me, luckily, no problems with your power," she explained.
Castle responded: "I didn't start with any, so that's fine! Can't do without what you don't have. I wonder what that is, maybe a generator out the back or something like that."
Tournament referee Denise Parnell descended to the court while the players remained at their benches. Cerundolo had secured a break in the opening game and was serving at 1-0 40-15 when proceedings were halted, reports the Express.
With no line judges present, the only option was to ask Keothavong to make line calls if the power difficulties persisted. "Well, line calls are now automated; there are no line judges out there, so does that mean that the system isn't working either?" Balding asked.
Castle added: "Yeah, it will be down to James Keovathong to call the ball from the umpire's chair."
Following a brief interruption, play resumed, with seventh seed Cerundolo swiftly holding serve to take a 2-0 lead. This wasn't the sole disruption to Wednesday's programme, as British wildcard Arthur Fery was forced to halt his match midway through after suffering a nosebleed.
This isn't the only mishap to happen on the BBC as the broadcaster was forced to cut an interview with Corentin Moutet at Queen's after he swore seven times during the live transmission. The tennis player dropped the F-bomb several times, and commentator Jenny Drummond apologised to viewers.
"OK. Corentin we need to improve that for the next round. Apologies everyone. Corentin Moutet," she stated.
