The Albany Gazette - Davis Cup draw postponed as Chile protests Belgian knockout win

"We took the decision to reschedule the draw to allow the necessary time to complete due diligence around that issue," an ITF spokesperson told AFP.

The draw has been provisionally re scheduled for March 3, said the ITF.

The draw, originally slated for Thursday this week, would have determined who Chile face in a playoff to save their top-tier place after the controversial loss on February 2.

Chile's Cristian Garin refused to continue in the decisive rubber after being knocked down by his opponent, Zizou Bergs, on a changeover.

Belgium were leading the tie 2-1 when Bergs held serve in a marathon 11th game in the third set to put the hosts one game from victory.

Bergs galloped round the court in celebration and raced past the net towards his chair, colliding with Garin and sending the Chilean flying.

Garin suffered a bruise that the Chileans said affected his eye. They immediately requested Bergs' disqualification.

An independent doctor ruled Garin was fit to continue and serve to stay in the match. He refused and after three warnings for time violations, lost the decisive game without leaving his seat.

The Chilean Tennis Federation (FTC) quickly denounced the result as an "injustice" and said they would contest it.

Late on Wednesday, the FTC announced on its Instagram account that it had filed an official "action" with the ITF following what it described as "serious irregularities".

It complained of "a failure to apply the rules after serious physical contact", "irrational and arbitrary" officiating and "medical negligence".

It called for the "immediate suspension" of the draw scheduled for the following day, asking that the tie be replayed or Chile granted a "wild card" to the Davis Cup finals. It also called for "sanctions" against Bergs.

(D.Sanchez--TAG)