CLAIRE Hughes's comprehensive report of the City of York Tennis Championships (Evening Press, Monday, July 19) highlighted a misconception among players who are not always aware of the rules in unusual circumstances.

It will be recalled that at 9-9 in the tie break of the men's singles final, Phil Langley served an ace to make it 10-9.

It was then discovered that the players should have changed ends before Langley served.

In the absence of an umpire the two finalists agreed that Langley's ace should be annulled and the point should be replayed from 9-9. This was an incorrect decision. All points scored cannot be annulled.

The players should have changed ends with Langley leading 10-9 and serving for the first set.

In the same way if a player serves from the wrong station, ie from the left at, say, 15-all and then serves a fault before the mistake is discovered, the player should then serve from the correct station (the right) and has delivered one fault.

Malcolm Huntington,

School Lane,

Heslington, York.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, July 23, 2004