PLAY was twice delayed during today’s first Wimbledon women’s semi-final due to a medical incident in the stands.
Aryna Sabalenka was serving at 2-3 40-40 in the opening set of her tussle with Amanda Anisimova when the match first had to be temporarily halted.
BBCPlay was temporarily halted during the first set[/caption]
BBCUmpire Damien Dumusois temporarily stopped the match[/caption]
APAryna Sabalenka fetched a bottle of water for the spectator[/caption]
A spectator sat directly in 31C heat on Centre Court required attention.
Members of the armed services working as stewards quickly went over to check on them, armed with umbrellas.
Concerned world No1 Sabalenka also brought over a bottle of water to help out.
The spectator was then helped away, with Centre Court applauding.
Both players headed back to their chairs during the delay.
After around five minutes, the match was able to resume.
Prior to the delay, Sabalenka had to save two break points.
Resuming at deuce, the Belarusian showed nerves of steel to hold serve.
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With Sabalenka about to serve again at 4-5, there was a second medical issue towards the front of the East Stand.
The world No1 again went over with a bottle of water as stewards clutching umbrellas assisted the spectator.
After around three minutes, play resumed after the spectator was led away while drinking water.
Anisimova went on to win the first set 6-4 in 56 minutes, with Sabalenka double faulting on set point.
The No1 seed then went for a bathroom break, with Anisimova appearing to a complain to the umpire when her opponent had been away for around five minutes.
Sabalenka re-emerged for the second set moments later, and went on to take the second set 6-4 to level the match – with Anisimova then taking her turn to head out for a bathroom break of her own.
Tension and tiredness showed as both players dropped their opening service game of the final set.
And when a disbelieving Sabalenka sent a routine half-court forehand long on break point to hand Anisimova a 3-1 lead, it felt like a pivotal moment.
While the American wobbled at 15-40, Sabalenka could not take her chance, netting on both break points, the clutch shot a stunning forehand before a cross court drive secured the hold
With victory in her sights, Anisimova buckled, wasting a match point as she dragged her backhand out of court and allowing Sabalenka to break back with another overhit backhand.
But Sabalenka’s poise deserted her, poor play seeing her fall 0-40 behind and while she saved the first two match points, a superb forehand from one corner to the other gave Anisimova the upset win.
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