Auger-Aliassime uses VAR to replay point, then gets aced by Bublik with underarm serve

VAR was used to make a crucial call during a first-round match between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday afternoon.

At 6-6 in the first-set tiebreaker, Bublik smashed what looked like an overhead winner. When Auger-Aliassime was trying to track the ball down, however, a ballkid interfered with him. The Kazakh was initially awarded the point, but FAA called for a VAR review and the call was overturned and the umpire announced that the point would have to be replayed.

Bublik promptly won the replay with an underarm ace that caught Auger-Aliassime off guard.

The roller-coaster ride continued when Bublik double-faulted down set point at 6-7 in the ‘breaker. Auger-Aliassime ended up prevailing 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-3 after two hours and 49 minutes.

Auger-Aliassime will face Nuno Borges in the second round on Wednesday.