American Denis Kudla and Argentine Francisco Cerundolo were subsequently withdrawn from the Doha-based event despite winning their first-round qualifying matches, as per the rules. They have since been transferred to a quarantine hotel. The Herald Sun has contacted Tennis Australia for comment. News of Kudla s positive test reportedly arrived while he was leading Moroccan Elliot Benchetrit by a set and 5-3. Kudla went on to claim the next game and the match, with 221st-ranked Benchetrit later revealing he would ve moved into the second round if he had won that game to keep the contest alive. The rule was to finish the game in progress before the match was stopped and it was during the last game of the match, so he was declared the winner, Benchetrit told Tennis Majors.
Fourth-seeded American tennis player Kudla downed Moroccan Elliot Benchetrit 6-4 6-3, but the match ended in controversy.
The positive COVID-19 test result reportedly came through with Kudla leading 5-3 in the second, and according to Benchetrit they had to finish the game in progress.
Denis Kudla (pictured right) is now in hotel quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19
Because world No.114 Kudla won that game, which wrapped up the match, he was declared the winner.
If Benchetrit had won the game to extend the match, it would have been declared a walkover in his favour. At 5-3, they got the result. So to sum up: if I d won that game at 5-3 to make it 5-4, I d have qualified for the second round, Benchetrit said on Instagram.
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Kudla told he had tested positive during play against Benchetrit
Players were allowed on Doha court before receiving test results
Denis Kudla was informed he had tested positive for Covid-19 in the middle of his Australian Open qualifying match against Elliot Benchetrit in Doha. Photograph: Sarah Stier/AP
Denis Kudla was informed he had tested positive for Covid-19 in the middle of his Australian Open qualifying match against Elliot Benchetrit in Doha. Photograph: Sarah Stier/AP
AustralianAssociatedPress
Mon 11 Jan 2021 19.33 EST
Last modified on Tue 12 Jan 2021 05.06 EST
Denis Kudla has been rushed into quarantine at the Australian Open qualifying event in Doha after testing positive for Covid-19.