Wimbledon match suspended and players taken off court as loud boos erupt

Taylor Fritz wasn't happy when his match was stopped at 10.20pm

Taylor Fritz wasn’t happy when his first-round Wimbledon match was suspended after he stormed back to take the fourth set in a tiebreak and force a decider. The No. 4 seed was in trouble when he dropped the first two sets to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard under the roof on Court 1. He won the third set and then came back from a 1-5 deficit in the fourth set tiebreak but, after taking it 8-6, the supervisor came to the court for a discussion with both players as the 11pm curfew approached. Officials decided to postpone the match without starting the fifth set and boos rang out around Wimbledon's second-biggest showcourt as both men walked off, to return on Tuesday. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

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Play at the All England Club must stop at 11pm every night as part of an agreement with the local Merton Council. But Fritz vs. Mpetshi Perricard was halted more than 40 minutes before the rule was set to come into effect. And Alexander Zverev's clash with Arthur Rinderknech was also suspended as they concluded the second set at 10.55pm, with the scores one set apiece. Two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Fritz looked set to be the latest seeded player to fall victim to an upset on day one of the Championships. But the recent Eastbourne champion mounted a remarkable comeback and suddenly the score was all square at 6-7 6-7 6-4 7-6. Fritz sat down at his bench for the end-of-set changeover but the supervisor came to the court and convened around the net with both players to discuss the time limit. Fans on Court 1 immediately started booing after seeing the supervisor, well aware that their time could be up. And Fritz didn’t seem best pleased himself.

The supervisor came out to halt Fritz vs Mpetshi Perricard at the conclusion of the fourth set

“Well, if I was Taylor Fritz, I’d want to keep going here, try to keep the momentum. It’s just gone 10.15pm, the curfew is at 11. If it’s a long set there’s a chance they might have to come off at 5-5 potentially. Would you want to do that? That’s what they’re weighing up,” commentator Todd Woodbridge said. Co-commentator Ronald McIntosh reminded viewers that three of the four sets had been tiebreaks, lasting between 44 to 48 minutes, while Woodbridge pointed out: “While we’re having this conversation we could’ve had two service games, the way they serve.” McIntosh knew the fans weren’t happy, with the boos growing as talks continued and it became evident that no more tennis would be played. “Not what the crowd in attendance here on No. 1 Court want to happen,” he said. “But a big decision about to be made here because as we pointed out in commentary, the momentum very much in favour of Taylor Fritz. I’m sure Mpetshi Perricard would love the opportunity to regroup, refuel, rehydrate, rest and to come back tomorrow for what is effectively a one-set shootout.”

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The umpire officially addressed the crowd, who continued to jeer and boo. “Ladies and gentlemen, due to the late timing of the day, we will not be able to finish the match therefore the match will be postponed to tomorrow. Play is suspended,” he announced. Fritz and Mpetshi Perricard packed up and departed the court around 10.20pm - 40 minutes before play needed to be stopped. And Woodbridge understood the spectators’ frustrations. He explained: “I’m a little surprised by that decision. I think the referee has come out too early, could’ve given them the option, but we still had 45 minutes to go to curfew. The sets that we had have all been under 45 minutes, they’ve been close to it but there was definitely the chance of an outcome there tonight. “I think Mpetshi Perricard, good for him, he should get off and be very happy with that. Taylor Fritz will be a little annoyed by that decision, I have no doubt, because he played an exceptional tiebreak from 5-1 down to hang in. At least he’s still in the tournament, he’s got to think positively, but this was quite an interesting moment on day one.” To be the first to receive the latest Wimbledon news, join our WhatsApp community or Wimbledon newsletter

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