'Don’t know which is worse…,' Lucia Bronzetti blasts Taylor Townsend over dishonest play, doesn’t even spare the chair umpire

Right before bouncing, it seemed like the ball grazed Townsend’s racket. Surprisingly, the umpire did not call it out, nor did Townsend agree to this. A huge point lost by Townsend might have cost her the match as the American ultimately edged out with a win. 

Bronzetti, unhappy with this, took to her Instagram story to complain about this. Along with a video of the incident, she bashed both the umpire as well as the player. 

I don’t know which is worse. The chair umpire or the player who denied it. Bronzetti wrote in her Instagram.

The Italian blamed Townsend for not abiding by the basic sportsmanship spirit, and also took the umpire down, as she called them out, for not watching the ball. Fans also rallied behind the Italian on social media.

Taylor Townsend edged out a victory against Lucia Bronzetti as a start to her impressive Miami Open run

After the controversial incident between Taylor Townsend and Lucia Bronzetti, the American managed to close out the tight match and secure a first-round win. Carrying that momentum, she had dominated in her second-round match as well. 

Townsend displayed pure dominance against Elise Mertens, beating the Belgian 6-2, 6-2. This was the 27-year-old American’s best run so far in the season. She ended with a second-round loss at the Indian Wells and so far had done one better in Miami. With this, the American was through to the third round of the Miami Open. 

Now, the tournament heads into the Round of 32 games, as the draw gets smaller with every round. Townsend, who managed to qualify, will face Elena Rybakina on Saturday evening.