Sharapova calls for Hawkeye, even on French Open clay

• There%27s now Hawkeye at the French Open because the ball leaves a mark
• Even so%2C mistakes can be made%2C as happened Saturday against Maria Sharapova
• %22Why don%27t we have a system like this%3F%22 Sharapova asked

PARIS — The French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament without Hawkeye, the electronic-line calling system that has become a mainstay in the sport.

There is good reason for that: Clay, unlike grass and hardcourts, leaves a mark that players and umpires can check.

That logic was not sitting well with players at the French Open on Saturday.

Defending women's champion Maria Sharapova and top-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan called for the use of Hawkeye after coming out on the losing end of calls.

Sharapova found herself trailing 4-1 in the second set against Zheng Jie because of an incorrect call that television replays later showed was good.

"First of all, it's not even about the fact of the call, whether it was in or out," said the No. 2 seed from Russia, who went on to beat Zheng 6-1, 7-5. "I think for me it was the fact that the umpire did not recognize that the mark he pointed out was about a foot away from the actual mark."

"Why don't we have a system like this?" she said of Hawkeye. "I mean, is it a money concern? I don't think so. This is just absolute proof that it's a big point and it can happen in any situation."

Bob Bryan was so miffed at a baseline call he felt was out but that the umpire declined to overrule that he grabbed his cellphone and snapped a picture (an increasingly common reaction this week), which drew a warning, and almost certainly will result in a fine.

"You can see how marks can be interpreted different ways," Bob told USA TODAY Sports after he and Mike beat fellow Americans Jack Sock and Eric Butorac 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).

"As a player, you love Hawkeye," added Mike. "You know that it's right on. A lot of times they come down and pick different marks. The courts have the Hawkeye. Use it."

It's true: Hawkeye technology exists on Roland Garros' two main show courts, Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen. But it is there only for broadcasters to employ for entertainment and statistical purposes, according to French Tennis Federation officials.

The U.S. Open was the first to introduce Hawkeye in 2006, largely because of an erroneous line call made against Serena Williams two years earlier. The Australian Open and Wimbledon followed suit in 2007 and 2008.

The French Open does not seem likely to join them.

The ability to check marks by players and officials eliminates the need for electronic line calling, according to the tournament's assistant referee, Remy Azemar.

"The point of view from players and officials is that checking it by eye is much better," Azemar told USA TODAY Sports, admitting that in rare cases mistakes happen.

For other surfaces, such decisions are more "complicated" he said, and "Hawkeye is justified."

"But on clay the story is different," he said.

Traditionalists agree.

"There is a sign on the floor," said 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone of Italy in her imperfect English after beating Marion Bartoli of France 6-2, 6-1 in the third round Saturday. "We don't need it on clay."

There is an aesthetic aspect to consider, too.

Some fans enjoy the unique aspects of the ground red brick of Paris, or terre battue.

Watching an umpire climb down from his or her perch, point an index finger, and scrutinize an elliptical imprint (hopefully the correct one) offers a charm exclusive to Roland Garros. It sets it apart from the more sterilized line calling at the other majors.

It also leaves room for drama. There was plenty of that rising from the dust Saturday.