A medical emergency overshadowed matches on adjoining courts at the Australian Open when Nigel Sears, who is Ana Ivanovic's coach and Andy Murray's father-in-law, was rushed to a hospital while both of their third-round matches were in progress.
Four-time finalist Murray beat No. 32 Joao Sousa 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 and signed some autographs but skipped the customary on-court interview before leaving Margaret Court Arena on Saturday night to check on the welfare of Sears, the father of his pregnant wife.
Ivanovic was leading Madison Keys 6-4, 1-0 when her match was stopped. She could be seen saying "That's my coach," before both players left the court. It was the second time in three days that Ivanovic's progress was interrupted for a spectator needing medical aid - her second-round match was delayed for a half-hour when a woman fell on the stairs at Rod Laver Arena.
This time, the 2008 finalist didn't come back to win. Despite having breaks in the second and third sets, Ivanovic lost six of the last seven games to lose 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to No. 15-seeded Keys.
Australian Open organisers didn't provide any confirmation on Sears or his condition, although stadium announcer Craig Willis told the Rod Laver Arena crowd: "Nigel Sears had a turn, as we all saw. He's in the hospital cracking terrible jokes he cracks all the time, and a TV was wheeled into his room so he could watch the match. He's OK."
Murray's match wasn't stopped, but word filtered through as he finished. His brother, Jamie Murray, was keeping track of Sears' health, British media reported.
Tournament organisers said Murray, Ivanovic, and Keys wouldn't be available for interviews, leaving Sousa as the only one of the four players involved in those night matches who commented on the episode.
