Kecmanovic Reaches Mexican Open Semis on Time Penalty

In Acapulco, Mexico, Serbian tennis player Miomir Kecmanovic advanced to the semifinals of the Mexican Open on Thursday after defeating Frenchman Terence Atmane 6-3, 6-3 in a quarterfinal match that concluded with a rare point penalty for a time violation. The 26-year-old Kecmanovic, serving for the match, secured victory when Atmane received his second time warning of the contest, resulting in the automatic loss of the point under ATP rules.

The incident unfolded as Kecmanovic prepared to receive serve at match point in the second set. Atmane, who had already been issued a warning earlier for exceeding the 25-second limit between points, walked to retrieve his towel from a ball person. Chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote called the violation, awarding the point and the match to Kecmanovic. Atmane stood motionless in disbelief as the crowd booed the decision, before shaking hands with his opponent, who crossed the court to console him. Officials later confirmed the call aligned with ATP guidelines, which allow no extensions for toweling off and impose a point penalty for a second infraction.

Atmane's performance was hampered by illness throughout the match. He had informed the umpire...