We have often seen rallies being stopped midway in tennis. Hindrances and wrong line calls are the most common reasons behind the midway stoppage of rallies. External reasons are very rare and when they interrupt the play, it is bound to become massive news. Recently, in the Canadian Open semi-final between Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, the rally was interrupted in the most bizarre and unexpected manner.

The two players locked horns for the highly-anticipated clash on a warm afternoon in Montreal. Pegula made back-to-back finals in Canada after upsetting the World No.1 Iga Swiatek. However, the highlight of the match was from a moment where neither party could claim the point.

Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula interrupted in the middle of a rally

Pegula was off to a flyer in the semi-final. She bagged the first set 6-2 and did not let the Pole settle in. However, the World No.1 fought back like the champions always do. She was far from her best yesterday, but she took the match deep. After dragging the set to a tie-break in the second set, she found herself trailing 3-4. It was at that moment when the incident took place.

In the rally, Swiatek was getting inside the line and pushed Pegula to the backcourt with a sharp forehand. When she approached the net, Pegula answered with a defensive lob. The World No.1 backpedaled to get to the ball, but the point was stopped right there, as an American country folk was played via the speakers. It was Rednex’s popular song ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ that had interrupted the play.

Naturally, the incident ruined Pegula’s momentum. However, the gritty American eventually managed to seal the deal in three sets.

READ MORE: 2 Days After Wishful Thinking, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek Gets a Surprise Gift at the Canadian Open as the Prolific Pole’s Dominance Continues

Cotton Eye Joe delayed Pegula’s win

The American player was leading in the tie-break when the incident took place. However, after the players were forced to replay the point, she looked slightly out of sorts. She lost four points in the bounce and conceded the crucial set.

However, Pegula was in no mood to back down easily. She regrouped herself and stayed on serve for entirety of the deciding set. When Swiatek had to serve to stay in the tie, the Pole succumbed and handed over the game, set and, of course, the match to the American.

Do you think that Pegula would have sealed the tie in two sets if not for the interruption? Let us know in the comments.

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