INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — A swarm of bees forced a nearly two-hour disruption to the quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday.
Alcaraz swatted at the bees buzzing around him before running for cover and the match was suspended 19 minutes in with Alcaraz serving tied at 1-1. The Spaniard went on to win 6-3, 6-1 in less time than the delay of 1 hour, 48 minutes.
Dozens of bees attached themselves to the overhead spider camera that traverses the court and a man without any protective covering used a vacuum to clean them off.
The players left the court during the delay. When they returned, the chair umpire told them there were still some bees around and Zverev joked that he was fine to play on his side of the court.
The bee vacuumer was summoned back to the court with a spray bottle and was cheered wildly by the crowd. He posed for selfies with fans, causing Alcaraz and Zverev to laugh as they watched him wander the seats spraying for bees. The man also doused the walls around the court.
Miserable runs continue for Juventus and injury
Simbine upstages Coleman and Kerley to win 100
Williamson to lead New Zealand at the Twenty20 World Cup; Southee to make his 7th appearance
Purrfect place to hide! Brain teaser challenges you to spot the cat among all the ice cream cones
Mexican journalist is slain south of Mexico City, spurring outrage among colleagues
Delhi edges Mumbai to keep IPL playoff hopes alive while Samson powers Rajasthan to win
China's NEVs powering up to lead global sustainability charge
Simbine upstages Coleman and Kerley to win 100
Scarred UNESCO World Heritage site Jiuzhaigou recovers after quake
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, Timberwolves beat Suns 126