Bees stop play as Carlos Alcaraz stings Zverev

Despite being stung on the head as a warm of bees caused play to be suspended for almost two hours, Carlos Alcaraz swatted away Alexander Zverev 6-3,6-1 to set up a semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells.

Alcaraz was stung on the forehead during the invasion causing umpire Mohamed Lahyani to suspend play early in the opening set.

Players, officials  and spectators vacated the court as thousands of bees settled on the overhead spider camera and beekeeper Lance Davis was summoned, who, without wearing any protective clothing managed to disperse them.

He was also needed to douse the seats and walls around the court with a spray bottle before play could continue.

The match resumed after a one hour 48 minute delay.

Alcaraz said after the match “For sure, the most unusual match I have ever played in my career. I saw some bees around but I thought it was just a few of them.

“But I saw the sky and there were thousands flying, stuck in my hair, going to me. It was crazy. I tried to stay away from them but it was impossible. I’m a little bit afraid of them. I had to stay safe, and I was running everywhere.”

Main photo:- Beekeeper Lance Davis to the rescue – by ATPTour.com