Coco Gauff sees Miami Open clash halted prior to CIrstea win due to medical emergency

Monday, 23 March 2026 at 23:29

Coco Gauff about to return at the WTA Finals.

Coco Gauff sealed her progression through to the Quarter-Finals of the Miami Open 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Monday seeing off Sorana Cirstea but it nearly ended up being a prolonged period off court for them both towards the end of the tie.

The match which saw Cirstea come back into proceedings in the latter stages was halted in the third set when the umpire noticed a fan had passed out in the stands. Cirstea who forced a deciding set and was serving at 3-0 down was halted at the Miami Open.

Jennifer Zhang, the chair umpire noticed a fan was struggling in the stands and quickly stopped play. Other spectators in the crowd tried to gain the umpire's attention and it worked as she got down off her chair and told Gauff. “Sorry Coco, we need to check first.”

The umpire then said. “On Centre Court, we have a lady passed out in the stands, just behind the first row, across from the chair umpire. She needs a drink or ice towel, anything," this was said as she spoke over a walkie-talkie.

Read also

“Looks like we’ve got something going on in the crowd here. Looks like we’re going to get a bit of medical attention for this person who is suffering,” Naomi Cavaday said on Sky Sports commentary.

Miles Maclagan replied: “Not as hot as it can be. A lot of the Stadium is in shade. It’s a bit too warm for whoever is concerned, we hope that they are okay, make a quick recovery. Coco sharing out some of her sports drink.”

Cavaday went on to share also on Sky Sports the conditions inside the stadium. “It is a hot day. When the courts were in full sunshine, we had fans out trying to cool them down. But the main stadium court inside the Hard Rock Stadium is very much in shade now.”

The fans inside the court then started to applaud a few minutes later confirming that the spectator had been taken care of. Cirstea quickly held when they returned but Gauff got the job done breaking Cirstea to claim a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win. She has finally reached the Quarter-Finals at the Miami Open, a long time in the making.

Play stopped in the Sorena Cirstea vs Coco Gauff match due to a fan not feeling well in the stands.

Cirstea serving at 0-3 (40-15) in set 3 pic.twitter.com/XxfbZq4fqm
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) March 23, 2026

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

"It felt like a stone fell off my heart, I was like, ‘Hey, finally, I made it": Karolina Muchova looks back on Qatar triumph after thrashing Eala in Miami

"You are ready to say anything so people talk about you": Corentin Moutet hits out at Danielle Collins after being accused of unsuccessfully sending flirty DM's to American