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Several fans have slammed Italian tennis player Martina Trevisan for her controversial handshake with Noma Noha Akugue at the 2023 Hamburg Open.
Trevisan came into the match against World No. 207 Noha Akugue as a heavy favorite, but lost 7-5, 4-6, 5-7. That means Akugue has advanced to her first WTA-level semifinal.
The Italian was evidently disappointed, but what infuriated many fans was how she handled the handshake after the match. In the post-match video, Trevisan can be seen seemingly putting little to no effort into it.
Fans were quick to react, calling Martina Trevisan out for her behavior:
"We've known Trevisan is a shi..y person ever since that match against Coco [Gauff]," a tennis fan wrote on Twitter.
"Trevisan is one of the worst sports on tour by far. Her little limp handshakes are becoming her signature trademark," another fan remarked.
One of the fans went on to say that the problem is not just with Trevisan, but with women's tennis in general:
"This is an all too common occurrence in the women's game. There is a reason it's called the 'WTA handshake'. It's embarrassing. That young girl deserved better," the fan stated.
Here are some more reactions:
Martina Trevisan ended a five-match losing streak at Hamburg Open 2023
Italian tennis player Martina Trevisan won two matches in a row for the first time in two months at the 2023 Hamburg Open. She was on a five-match losing streak prior to the tournament.
The 29-year-old lost to Julia Grabher in the quarterfinals of the Rabat Open, courtesy an injury retirement. Just four days later she lost to Elina Svitolina in the first round of the French Open, 2-6, 2-6.
On grass, Trevisan lost to Alize Cornet in the first round of the Bad Homburg Open 4-6, 2-6. Then in the first round of Wimbledon, she succumbed 3-6, 1-6 to Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Trevisan then came back to clay, only to lose to Daria Kasatkina 3-6, 7-6(2), 0-6, in the first round of the Palermo Open.
However, she finally ended her losing streak at Hamburg, beating Elvina Kalieva 6-1, 6-0, in the first round. The Italian surprised many by defeating Camila Osorio, 6-1, 6-3, in the second round, but her run was ended by 19-year-old qualifier Noma Noha Akugue in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals of the Hamburg Open, Noha Akugue will play another teenager in Diana Shnaider.
Shnaider defeated Polina Kudermetova 6-0, 4-6, 6-1, in the first round, Julia Grabher 6-4, 6-2, in the second round, and reigning champion Bernarda Pera 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, in the quarterfinals.
The second semifinal of the 2023 Hamburg Open will feature Daria Saville and Arantxa Rus. Both matches will be played on Friday, July 28.
