FRITZ SAYS CLIMATE CHANGE PROTESTS 'ANNOYING ' AFTER MATCH SUSPENDED

AFPPix

World number nine Taylor Fritz said climate activists need to find a better way of protesting instead of "annoying" sports fans by interrupting events, after his Washington Open match against Andy Murray was briefly halted on Friday.

Play was stopped during the opening set of the American's 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 victory when protesters threw large tennis balls with flames printed on them onto the court.

Some of them unfurled banners in the stands calling on tournament sponsors Mubadala and Citi to stop funding the fossil fuel industry.

MEDVEDEV, SWIATEK CRUISE AS CLIMATE PROTESTERS DISRUPT WIMBLEDON

 

Reuters 

Summary 

•   Swiatek, Medvedev ease through

•   Just Stop Oil protesters disrupt two matches on Court 18

•   Tiafoe, Fritz make round two on rain-hit day

Daniil Medvedev quelled the challenge of wildcard Arthur Fery and Marta Kostyuk fought back to upset Maria Sakkari and storm into the Wimbledon second round on a rainy Wednesday when two matches were disrupted by protesters.

Women's top seed Iga Swiatek outclassed Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 6-0 and Daria Kasatkina thumped Jodie Burrage 6-0 6-2 to reach the third round before organisers worked to clear the backlog of first-round matches.

JUST STOP OIL PROTESTERS HALT SECOND ASHES TEST

Reuters 

The first morning of the second Ashes test at Lord's was interrupted when two Just Stop Oil protesters ran on to the ground and scattered orange powder on the outfield, before one was carried off by England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

After the first over on Wednesday bowled by England's James Anderson to Australia batsman David Warner, the men emerged from the stands and moved towards the square, releasing the powder before being tackled by security staff and players.

Bairstow picked up one of the men and carried him off the field before dropping him to the ground outside the boundary markers.

Ground staff cleared the powder and play resumed after a delay of around five minut

"We are aware of protesters on the Lord’s Cricket Ground pitch today. Police have arrested three people and taken them into custody," the Metropolitan Police said on Twitter.

Just Stop Oil protesters have disrupted other sporting events in England this year, including the Premiership Rugby final and the World Snooker Championship.

- Reuters 

EPSOM DERBY POTESTER TACKLED BY POLICE DURING RACE

PROTESTERS CRASH WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP WITH ORANGE POWDER

JUST STOP OIL PROTESTERS INVADE THE WORLD SNOOKER TOURNAMENT