Ana Ivanovic's coach collapses, rushed to hospital at Australian Open

Sacha Pisani

Ana Ivanovic's coach collapses, rushed to hospital at Australian Open image

Ana Ivanovic's third-round match at the Australian Open was suspended after her coach, Nigel Sears, suffered an apparent heart attack mid-match.

Ivanovic led Madison Keys 6-4, 1-0 when the 59-year-old Sears — who is Andy Murray's father-in-law — collapsed in the coach's box at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

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The match was immediately delayed as Ivanovic watched on in concern from her chair. Ivanovic and Keys were then ushered down the tunnel before officials suspended proceedings, with world No. 2 Murray in action against Joao Sousa over at Margaret Court Arena.

Sears was conscious and responsive after being taken to hospital. 

Ivanovic struggled with consistency when proceedings resumed, failing to convert any of her six break-point opportunities in the ninth game and allowing Keys to force a deciding set.

Ivanovic had more chances in the final set, but after saving one match point was unable to fend off another. Keys triumphed 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours, 25 minutes.

It is the second time this week Ivanovic's match has been delayed by an incident in the crowd. The Serbian was left shaken when a spectator crashed down a set of stairs during her win over Anastasija Sevastova on Thursday.

 

 

 

Sacha Pisani