French Open: Part of scoreboard panel falls on spectators

A piece of panelling of the scoreboard standing high on the central court Philippe Chatrier fell down on spectators on Tuesday at Roland Garros, a media report said on Wednesday.

Three spectators sustained minor injuries, according to the Grand Slam tournament organisers and the area was secured and the audience was temporarily evacuated while first-aid works came up to help, Xinhua news agency reported.

The panelling, seemed to be a part of the court's giant TV screen, metal and larger than a bed, crashed down as the wind having been blowing strongly.

The incident occurred during a men's singles quarterfinal match between Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the fifth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan while the latter trailing 6-1, 5-2.

 

Play was delayed almost half-hour before it resumed and Tsonga won it in full sets.