- Musetti called for assistance after spotting an ill spectator during fourth set
- The umpire radioed for medical assistance before a brief delay to the match
- Nikoloz Basilashvili ultimately completed a shock win amid high temperatures
Lorenzo Musetti and Nikoloz Basilashvili’s first round match at Wimbledon was brought to a brief halt on Tuesday after a fan fell ill in the stands.
Basilashvili was closing in on a shock four set victory over Musetti, a semi-finalist at last year’s tournament.
The Georgian was closing in on a 5-0 lead in the fourth set, having already secured a two sets to one advantage over his Italian opponent.
His pursuit of victory was briefly halted when Musetti was seen pointing to the stands, with the seventh seed pointing out an ill spectator.
After being altered by Musetti, the umpire quickly halted play and was seen requesting medical assistance be sent to Court 2.
An announcement was then made to fans to explain the delay to play.
Lorenzo Musetti highlighted an ill spectator in the stands when playing Nikoloz Basilashvili
The umpire was seen on the phone requesting medical attention be brought to the court
Musetti appeared concerned but there was only a brief delay before play resumed
The umpire also left his chair and requested water be brought to the spectator, who was quickly attended to by medics and was brought out of the venue.
The match was able to resume following the brief delay, with Basilashvili completing a shock 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Musetti to book his place into the second round.
Their first round tie was delayed on another blisteringly hot day at Wimbledon and across Britain.
The Met Office had warned temperatures could reach 36C today, after yesterday saw the hottest start to Wimbledon on record and a peak of 33.1C in London.
A similar incident had occurred on the opening day of the tournament, which saw defending men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz come to a supporter’s aid.
Alcaraz spotted that an elderly fan had fallen to the floor and was being treated by Centre Court medics.
The umpire then announced that play would be suspended, with defending champion Alcaraz even bringing the stricken spectator a cold bottle of water from the bucket behind his seat.
Other crowd members also attempted to help the lady – who was sat in the sun on Wimbledon’s hottest-ever opening day as temperatures reached 31.4 degrees Celsius by 2pm – by fanning her and shading her with umbrellas.
Musetti, last year’s semi-finalist, would ultimately bow out of the tournament in four sets
Carlos Alcaraz raced to the aid of a woman in the Centre Court stands after she suffered a medical emergency on Monday
The spectator was thought to have collapsed amid the soaring temperatures at Wimbledon
Alcaraz spent time helping the fan and keeping an eye on her as stewards tended to her
Mail Sport learned that the woman in question was 79-year-old Delyth Lewis from West Wales
After a 17-minute pause in play, the spectator was eventually carried away from Centre Court, but was thankfully sat up and responsive.
Mail Sport learned the spectator was 79-year-old Delyth Lewis from West Wales, who was there especially to see Alcaraz.
Her daughter sent a message to Alcaraz on Tuesday, thanking the Spaniard for his assistance.
‘Thank you @carlosalcaraz for the concern shown to my mum today who was taken ill during your tennis match at Centre Court @Wimbledon today,’ the message read.
‘Unlikely you’ll see this message but I can try! Thank you.’