Pocket-Drama in a Davis Cup Thriller: Copoli's Point Lost to a Ball Dropping from His Pocket

Match Recap

Flavio Copoli defeated Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 in a Davis Cup clash on Sunday, one of the closest matches of this edition.

Yet the Italian's moment was shadowed by a pocket-ball incident that sparked debate in the arena.

Copoli, Italy's Davis Cup champion and Carlos Alcaraz's preseason training partner, had a ball roll from his pocket as he prepared a forehand.

The chair umpire and the match monitor were asked to replay the point, but the rules clearly awarded the point to the opponent, Wawrinka, leaving Copoli frustrated.

Tie Implications and Swiss Momentum

Italy still fell 2-1 in the tie; Copoli's win over Wawrinka wasn't enough, as Belinda Bencic delivered a spectacular performance to send Switzerland through.

Bencic then beat Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour, 53 minutes, before teaming with Jakub Pol to defeat Errani and Vavassori 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.

Punchlines: If pocket drama counted as a sport, Copoli would be a world champion.

Note to future players: check your pockets before you check your opponent’s reflexes; the ball might vote for the other guy.