'Below the belt' - John McEnroe questions Iga Swiatek's distraction tactic against Lauren Davis at US Open

John McEnroe questioned whether Iga Swiatek was a “bit below the belt” in seemingly trying to distract Lauren Davis at the net during their third-round US Open match. World No. 1 Swiatek came through 6-3 6-4 against Davis to equal her best showing at the tournament.

Ad There was a controversial moment with Davis leading 2-0 in the second set and the score at 30-30 when Swiatek was at the net and appeared to try and put her opponent off by waving her hands in the air. US Open'I needed to find the proper balance' — Swiatek digs deep to beat Davis and seal fourth-round place11 HOURS AGO Although the move didn’t work as Davis put away the short ball to win the point, Eurosport expert McEnroe said: “I don’t know about that. I don’t think that’s legal…that is a little bit below the belt.

“The last time I saw that was when I was playing in 1986 I believe and [Mansour] Bahrami came in and served, and put his hands wide open and said, ‘Hit me’. And my partner Peter Fleming hit him in the forehead. And I said, ‘He’s a joke, this guy! I don’t understand what he’s doing.

This is serious’. “And Bahrami was like ‘Good shot Peter, good shot!’ He loved it. I don’t think Swiatek has to do that.

She’s so good it seems…but she’ll learn. She’s 21.” Swiatek: I needed to find the right balance US Open diary: Zhang on late career turnaround Former world No. 7 Barbara Schett added: “It’s a bit edgy isn’t it? I remember Jo-Wilfried Tsonga used to do that but it’s actually a distraction to the opponent.” French Open champion Swiatek will next face Jule Niemeier in the last 16.

Reflecting on her performance against Davis, Swiatek said: “I could not find my rhythm today. “She played pretty smart. I’m pretty happy at the end that I could put balls