Tennis match STOPPED due to medical emergency as former US Open semi-finalist Gael Monfils plays in front of home crowd

3 months ago 29

HOME-FAVOURITE Gael Monfils’ tennis match was suspended for 12 minutes when a fan in the crowd fell ill.

The popular French veteran, 37, was taking on Australian Open surprise package Flavio Cobolli at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.

Play was halted during a Gael Monfils match due to a medical emergency[/caption]

But the match shown live on Sky Sports was stopped midway through the first set due to the medical emergency.

Monfils, seeded eighth, led 3-2 at the time of the incident with Cobolli serving.

However, play was halted for nearly a quarter of an hour as the supporter received treatment in the indoor arena in South France.

Reports also suggested Monfils handed over a bottle of water.

The gentleman feeling unwell was helped out of the stadium.

But the players remained on court during the unfortunate disruption and did not get another warm-up.

When the tennis resumed, Cobolli held for 3-3, battling back from trailing 3-0 after losing his opening service game.

Monfils – married to Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina – had the backing of the partisan home crowd in France, just like compatriot Benoit Paire when he ended his 18-month winless run against Andy Murray in round one.

The flamboyant showman is currently ranked No70 in the world but had a career-high of sixth after reaching the US Open semis in 2016 – eight years after his only other Grand Slam final-four appearance at the French Open.

Three-time junior major champ Monfils has won 12 career titles and earned more than £17million in his 20-year career.

Cobolli, meanwhile, is at the other end of his career in tennis – having played in Roma’s football academy as a kid before switching sports.

The 21-year-old Italian, 76th in the rankings, made his mark Down Under when he came through qualifying and reached the third round before being knocked out by Alex De Minaur.