Carlos Alcaraz was involved in a heated exchange with the umpire in his Qatar Open quarter-final clash against Karen Khachanov, with the Spaniard unhappy at being pulled up for a time violation. 

The incident happened after Alcaraz celebrated winning an epic point to save a break point. He then went to grab his towel but was given a time violation before he served again.

Alcaraz was unhappy with the decision and was involved in an exchange. The umpire was heard saying: “I stopped the time.”

Alcaraz then replied with: “No you didn’t.” The umpire responded with: “I did. I stopped time at 25 seconds when it started. Then you got the towel. Then I started the clock again.”

The exchange continued, with Alcaraz saying: “How much time did you stop the clock? Tell me.”

She replied with: “Carlos, I stopped it til you reached there. I stopped it at 25 seconds til you actually reached the towel.”

Alcaraz said: “Alright. So I’m not allowed to go to the towel,” with the umpire again responding with: “I stopped it til you reached the area there where you asked the kid to get the towel… I can’t cancel it.”

The initial exchange ended with Alcaraz saying: “I’m not allowed to go to the towel. I’m not allowed.” The umpire adding: “Yes I understand. But I can’t do anything.”

During the exchange, Khachanov also appeared to approach the umpire and reportedly asked for the violation to be cancelled.

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Alcaraz went on to win the point needed to keep his serve, with the Spaniard again speaking to the umpire and showing his dissatisfaction during the change of ends.

The first set eventually went to a tie-breaker with the score at six games each. Khachanov came out as a 7-3 winner in that to take the set.

Alcaraz then took the second set 6-4 to set up a deciding set. The Australian Open champion then took the third set 6-3 to book his place in the semi-final where he will take on Andrey Rublev.

Jannik Sinneris also in action quarter-finals of the Qatar Open when he takes on Jakub Mensik to try and book his place in the semi-final against Arthur Fils.