Polarising world No.2 Iga Swaitek called out for bizarre delay during Australian Open loss to Madison Keys

Iga Swiatek lost no fans for going down to American Madison Keys in their Australian Open semi-final thriller on Thursday night, but she has put a few off-side for what some have labelled “dirty tactics” ahead of the third set.

The five-time major champion was the raging favourite heading into the penultimate match of the tournament against Keys, who has never won a grand slam.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Iga Swiatek cops dirty look for strange delay during semi-final.

Swiatek served for the match at 6-5 in the third set and got within match point of making the final, but couldn’t close the game out before eventually losing in an epic match tiebreak, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8).

It was a devastating loss for the No.2 seed, who may have been given more sympathy from the tennis world if not for a strange delay at the start of the third set.

The chair umpire had called time and Keys was already on the baseline, bouncing the ball, and ready to serve, when Swiatek had only just got up from her chair, having exceeded the time allowed for a bathroom break.

Already late to the receiving position, the Polish superstar then afforded herself some extra time to start practising some shadow forehands and backhands as she faced away from Keys, who was waiting in confusion and with a level of justified impatience.

Clearly irritated by then, having already spoken to the chair umpire and pointed to her wrist to mimic a time check during the extended break, Keys was made to restart her service motion when Swiatek held up her racquet for another delay.

“Time has been called but Iga is not ready yet,” a Eurosport commentator said as Bronx cheers rang out through the stadium.

Her co-commentator added: “Right, come on, let’s go. Quite some look from Keys. She’s not happy.”

Swiatek was finally ready thereafter, and an annoyed Keys made her pay with a blinding ace down the T.

Unfortunately, the strange incident can’t be excused as a one-off for Swiatek, who has some form with questionable tactics in the past.

Tennis blogger Pavvy G led the chorus of criticism towards Swiatek.

“This is what Swiatek was doing after the umpire had called time and Keys was ready to serve. Madison understandably was not impressed,” he wrote of the moment.

“Has there ever been a worse sportsmanship player than Iga Swiatek?”

Another fan added: “Iga Swiatek dirty tactics against Madison Keys. Why did umpire not give her a time violation warning?”

Trying to bite her tongue in the post-match press conference, Keys played it straight when asked about her watch check gesture.

“I was just asking how much time she had left because it wasn’t up on the board,” Keys said.

“I think the rules are fine. The clock ran out on my change, but not hers, so I was just asking.”