The lights went out on Anett Kontaveit as she served to win her opening round match at the Tallinn Open.Playing in front of a home crowd at the Forus Tennis Center, Kontaveit was made to battle against China’s Wang Xiyu. She was forced to come back from one set down to triumph 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Lights out at Tallinn Open

It wasn’t just the scoreline that was dramatic. With Kontaveit 5-2 up in the third set, the Estonian prepared to serve for the match.

As she struck the ball, however, the court was suddenly plunged into darkness for a few seconds. 

“Oh my goodness,” the commentator said. “Maybe they thought her challenge was over!”

The lights failure clearly rattled Kontaveit, who was unable to take advantage of her match point. Instead, she ended up playing several more games as Wang tried hard to turn around the set. 

Video: Watch lights go out on Anett Kontaveit at Tallinn Open

Who is Anett Kontaveit?

Kontaveit, the world number four, will go on to face Tereza Martincová in the second round at the Tallinn Open.

The 26-year-old has endured a mixed season after a stretch of scintillating form at the end of 2021. 

She won the St. Petersburg Trophy in February, before reaching the final at the Qatar Open. Kontaveit then experienced a drop in form, which she attributed to a difficult recovery from COVID-19. 

The Estonian star currently has an outside chance of qualifying for the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, but she would need to go on a winning run to do so. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: Anett Kontaveit of Estonia looks on against Serena Williams of the United States in their Women's Singles Second Round match on Day Three of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Leylah Fernandez plays through electrical failure

It is not the first time a tennis player has been affected by lighting issues on the WTA Tour this season. 

Leylah Fernandez won a dramatic 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 battle against Camila Osorio to win the Monterrey Open in March, but at one stage, she was 5-6 down in the third set and serving to stay in the competition. 

During the ensuing rally, an electrical failure crashed the screens around the court, disrupted the audio feed, and caused a few of the lights to turn off. 

With Osario winning the point, Fernandez asked for it to be replayed on the grounds of hindrance. 

Her request was turned down as the umpire felt the players still had sufficient light to play on. Despite this, Fernandez managed to compose herself and turn the match around.