Alexander Shevchenko discovered himself in a weird and really uncommon state of affairs throughout his Delray Seaside Open first-round match because the Kazakh’s racket cracked in half throughout play.
Whereas down by a set to Michael Mmoh and serving at 5-5 within the second set, the 24-year-old had a 30/0 lead and a primary serve to attempt to make it three consecutive recreation factors.
However then as Shevchenko served, his racket snapped in half within the air.
Alexander Shevchenko© X screenshot
The ball hit the web, earlier than touchdown exterior – which made it a second serve.
“Oh my goodness, I have never seen that before… Wow,” the shocked commentator stated on air.
“I have just never seen a racket crack in half like that before. It slipped out of his hands because it is so humid outside.”
Alexander Shevcneno’s racket fully snaps in half after it slips from his hand as he’s serving vs Michael Mmoh 🤯
He held to 0. pic.twitter.com/LhxLdki8yu
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) February 11, 2025 Shevchenko ended up dropping in two units
The weird state of affairs did not faze a lot the world No. 82, who received the next two factors to routinely seal the eleventh recreation.
However after Mmoh additionally served out the subsequent recreation to ship the second set right into a tie-break, the Kazakh didn’t ship when it mattered probably the most.
After opening a 5-4 lead and coming two factors away from forcing a decider, Shevchenko misplaced the subsequent three factors as the house favourite American accomplished a 7-5 7-6 (5) win.
Additionally, it ought to be famous that the 24-year-old Kazakh was 5-2 up earlier within the set however didn’t capitalize on his lead.
In the meantime, Shevchenko will not be leaving Delray Seaside as he nonetheless has doubles with James Duckworth.
Right now, he and Duckworth play in opposition to Christian Harrison and Evan King.
