Angry Berdych hits out at Hawk-Eye

The Hawk-Eye line-call system was called into question at the Australian Open yesterday when it failed to register a shot on centre court.

The ball tracking system was unable to pick up a shot in the fourth set of the Roger Federer vs Tomas Berdych match, probably due to a heavy shadow over the line in question, leaving the Czech player furious.

"What to say? I mean, if they bring some new system and it doesn't work, why should it be on the courts?" Berdych fumed after his five-set defeat to the second seed.

Federer, a long-time opponent of the system, said the incident had only confirmed his doubts.

"It's horrible. I don't like it," he said.

Three of the four grand slams use the technology. The French Open is the only major not to use the system as the ball leaves a mark on the clay surface. The system was first used at a grand slam at the 2006 US Open.

The sport's governing bodies agreed last year that players will be allowed up to four unsuccessful challenges per set at any tournament that uses electronic line calling systems.