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Davis Cup match descends into CHAOS as climate activists storm the course and try to tie themselves to the net before being dragged away by security in Malaga
- Borna Coris and Roberto Bautista Agut’s Davis Cup match was briefly halted
- Two protesters stormed the court and tried to tie themselves to the net in Spain
- The pair were apprehended by security before being dragged off the court
A Davis Cup game was unusually halted on Wednesday when two protesters stormed onto the pitch and attempted to tie themselves to the net.
Croatia’s Borna Coric was talking to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in Malaga when a pair of climate change activists briefly interrupted the second set by running onto the pitch.
Five guards rushed in to thwart the protesters, one of whom was seen desperately trying to grab hold of the net before being apprehended.
Fans could be heard booing as they were taken away by security before Coric secured victory in straight sets.
It is not the first time a tennis match has been marred by protests in recent months, as a similar incident also occurred at the Laver Cup in September.
A Davis Cup game was halted on Wednesday when two protesters stormed onto the pitch
The pair were soon apprehended by security before being dragged off the Malaga court
There were chaotic scenes as security intervened to remove the demonstrators from the court
During Stefanos Tsitsipas’ clash with Diego Schwartzman, an activist, donning a T-shirt that read ‘End UK Private Jets’, entered court in London and dangerously set their own arm on fire.
Security eventually extinguished the fire with water after dragging them off the track.
In Malaga are the two demonstrators wore t-shirts with the words ‘Futuro Vegetal’ (Plant Future printed across the front.
Futuro Vegetal is an action group campaigning against keeping livestock and instead for growing grains, fruits, vegetables, wood and foliage plants.
Following Coric’s 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over Bautista Agut, Marin Cilic rallied to defeat Pablo Carreno Busta in a three-hour match to send Croatia to the semi-finals of the Davis Cup.
Cilic trailed 4-1 in the deciding tiebreak before coming back after 3 hours 13 minutes to record a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5) win and a 2-0 victory for Croatia over to secure Spain.
The two court invaders wore t-shirts with the words ‘Futuro Vegetal’ (Plant Future) printed on them
The incident occurred during Borna Coric’s 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in Spain
“It’s an incredible effort from the team,” said Cilic. “It is such a great privilege and honor to bring another point for the Croatia team and seal the victory against the ever-strong Spanish team.”
The 2014 US Open winner Cilic hit 20 aces in the match, but also produced 15 double faults in a victory that improved his Davis Cup singles record to 33-15. Hi doubled twice in the 11th game of the first set when broken, but went up 4-2 in the second set to begin his comeback after Carreno Busta single-handedly doubled at the break point.
Coric and Cilic were both on the Croatian team that won a second Davis Cup title for their country in 2018.