As Anisimova closed in on victory in the final set, she sealed a hold of serve when one of her shots clipped the net cord and fell on the other side of the net, with Sabalenka scraping at the turf and ball but failing to return it.

After winning the point, Anisimova raised her left arm in the air in celebration. Meanwhile, as the two players changed sides, the ESPN broadcast showed an irked Sabalenka asking Anisimova why she "didn't say sorry" after her winner clipped the net. Broadcasters Chris Fowler and Chris Evert even made note to point it out.