Qatar Open Match suspended as Cat breaks the court to leave tennis stars stunned | Tennis | Sport

Tennis fans are well assigned in the terms ‘rain delays’ and ‘Bad Light stops the game’ when it comes to professional matches, but not even an indoor arena would have been able to cope with what held a match on the Qatar Open Tuesday.

Top Seed ARYNA Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat for Ekaterina Alexandrova at the WTA 1000 event in Doha, but the result was not the only talking point.

The three-time Grand Slam champion had already taken the first set 6-3 and at 2-2 in the second had forced a break.

But just as Alexandrova was earning, the players were connected to the court by a curious visitors.

A small cat appeared on the surface, and randomly walked around the net as Sabalenka smiled broadly. After being chased by a steward, the animal simply jumped away before disappearing behind one of the commercials.

The leading commentator was also amused and analyzed the interruption, as he explained, “Oh hello, we have a visitor. Kitty. Let’s see how this eventually plays out. Oh, obviously found the way away from the field. “

Recordings of the incident soon went to social media, and fans online were quick to join the fun. On X, @zedebo wrote: “Rename the Cat-Arr Open” while @stst1220883 added: “He’s a cat gut seller.”

The cat’s appearance did not appear to disturb Sabalenka’s rhythm. She secured a proper break and looked good to continue and end a routine victory.

But it was then that Russian player Alexandrova got his claws in the competition. World # 26 broke back twice before smoothing the match before continuing to hold her nerve in a last set of-up to a 3-6 6-3 7-6 victory.

It was Sabalenka’s second defeat of 2024, after failing to defend his Australian open title last month after losing in the final to Madison Keys. It had followed her to win Brisbane International at the beginning of the year and also claim a Maiden US Open title last September.

But she wasn’t the only big nameser who went out yesterday. Coco Gauff was beaten 6-2 7-5 by Marta Kostyuk, World No. 3, which was made to pay to produce seven double faults and 39 unprocessed errors.

The results have apparently opened the tournament. Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina went through with a 6-2 6-4 win against American Peyton Stearns, while Jasmine Paolini beat Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-4.