HOME-FAVOURITE Gael Monfils’ tennis match was suspended for 12 minutes when a fan in the crowd fell ill.

The popular French veteran, 37, was taking on Australian Open surprise package Flavio Cobolli at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.

2

But the match shown live on Sky Sports was stopped midway through the first set due to the medical emergency.

Monfils, seeded eighth, led 3-2 at the time of the incident with Cobolli serving.

However, play was halted for nearly a quarter of an hour as the supporter received treatment in the indoor arena in South France.

Reports also suggested Monfils handed over a bottle of water.

The gentleman feeling unwell was helped out of the stadium.

But the players remained on court during the unfortunate disruption and did not get another warm-up.

When the tennis resumed, Cobolli held for 3-3, battling back from trailing 3-0 after losing his opening service game.

Monfils – married to Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina – had the backing of the partisan home crowd in France, just like compatriot Benoit Paire when he ended his 18-month winless run against Andy Murray in round one.

The flamboyant showman is currently ranked No70 in the world but had a career-high of sixth after reaching the US Open semis in 2016 – eight years after his only other Grand Slam final-four appearance at the French Open.

Three-time junior major champ Monfils has won 12 career titles and earned more than £17million in his 20-year career.

Cobolli, meanwhile, is at the other end of his career in tennis – having played in Roma’s football academy as a kid before switching sports.

The 21-year-old Italian, 76th in the rankings, made his mark Down Under when he came through qualifying and reached the third round before being knocked out by Alex De Minaur.

2