The BBC's live tennis coverage at the Queen's Club Championships was unexpectedly interrupted on Wednesday after a localised power cut caused the electronic line-calling system to malfunction. Clare Balding issued an on-air warning as play was suspended during a second-round match at the HSBC Championships.
Match Halted Due to Technical Glitch
Francisco Cerundolo was facing Jenson Brooksby on the Andy Murray Arena when both players were left waiting on court during the second game. The power cut affected the automated line-calling system, leaving no line judges available to make calls.
Chair umpire James Keothavong instructed the players to 'stop for a few minutes' before confirming the power issue. Balding then updated viewers, explaining that the situation was tricky because ATP Tour events use automated line calling, meaning no line judges were on hand.
Balding's On-Air Explanation
Balding said: 'They've got an issue with power. As you heard, James Keothavong 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.'
Castle replied: '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 Officials Step In
Tournament referee Denise Parnell made her way to the court while the players remained on their benches. Cerundolo had taken a break in the opening game and was serving at 1-0, 40-15 when play was halted. With no line judges available, the only option was to ask Keothavong to make line calls if the power issues continued.
Balding queried: 'Well, line calls are now automated; there are no line judges out there, so does that mean that the system isn't working either?' Castle chimed in: 'Yeah, it will be down to James Keothavong to call the ball from the umpire's chair.'
Play Resumes After Brief Delay
After a short pause, play resumed, and seventh seed Cerundolo quickly held serve to establish a 2-0 lead. This was not the only disruption to Wednesday's schedule, as British wildcard Arthur Fery had to stop his match midway through due to a nosebleed.
