'Refusing to go': Unreal scenes in crowd during French Open match
The French Open match between Maria Sakkari and Clara Burel was interrupted after some bizarre drama when a rogue spectator appeared to refuse his marching orders from security following a disturbance.
Sakkari was up 6-2, 5-3 in the second set against rival Burel when a member of the crowd appeared to make noise ahead of her serve.
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Stopping for the interruption, the chair umpire called for the crowd to maintain silence.
However, Sakkari had to stop and wait for the crowd member to be quiet again.
The No.4 seed had to stop and start her service motion on a number of occasions.
This prompted security to approach the man in the crowd, but in bizarre scenes, it appeared to the commentators he refused to leave Court Philippe Chatrier.
And even after the match, members of the crowd jeered the fan after more attempts to get him to move.
"That is not what you need when you are trying to serve out a match," Eurosport Commentator Miles Maclagan said as the crowd booed the interrupter.
"Another vacant seat..."
"Yeah, this is too much," fellow commentator Chis Bradnam said.
"Has he been removed?"
"They are saying it is better to wait until the situation has been resolved. There are still people with that gentleman. I think he is just refusing to go. Sakkari just wants to get on with it."
Tennis world in disbelief over French Open fan member
Fortunately for Sakkari, she was able to hold her nerve and went on to clinch the match and advance to the second round of Roland Garros.
Another member of the crowd appeared to film the moment the spectator was removed from the stadium.
Fans were left bewildered at the spectator's behaviour.
Scenes on Chatrier with Sakkari trying to serve out the match.
A disruptive spectator interrupts her serve by yelling out. A delay as security/users try to get him to leave - eventually just giving up and sitting down next to him. pic.twitter.com/mYitt7qRZw— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) May 22, 2022
Interupts by loudly FaceTiming a friend during the match pic.twitter.com/5n0r5NVoHd
— Kari-Janne Rand (@Jarikanner) May 22, 2022
What is happening in sakkari-burel match?? #RG22 #Sakkari #RolandGarros
— Τυρκουάζ Προβατο (@funonline_news) May 22, 2022
The crowd members behaviour wasn't the only drama to rock the French Open on the opening day.
American teenager Coco Gauff served 10 double-faults, faced 12 break points and copped a warning by the chair umpire but managed to prevail 7-5, 6-0 over Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino.
However, it was the warning for coaching, that had the American fuming.
Midway through the second set she was warned by umpire Marijana Veljovic, who thought Gauff was receiving coaching from the stands from her dad.
Gauff wasn't impressed by the call and took it up with Valjovic at the change of ends.
Gauff, Sakkari, Belinda Bencic and Sloane Stephens were all among the big names to progress.
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