Wimbledon semi-final halted as Aryna Sabalenka rushes to aid of stricken spectator

Concerned Aryna Sabalenka went to the aid of a stricken spectator as the first semi-final of the women’s singles was halted after twenty minutes.

After a fan in the crowd appeared to collapse in the 30-degree heat, stewards headed into the stands to help and Sabalenka immediately stopped playing and dashed over to her chair. Sabalenka grabbed her bottle of fresh cold water and an ice pack took them over to the crowd and asked for them to be taken to the spectator, who seemed to be feeling the effects of the heat.

Sabalenka’s actions earned her warm applause from the Centre Court crowd as the action was halted for four minutes while the spectator received attention in her seat.

Thankfully, the spectator was able to stand up and was helped away by stewards and taken for medical attention.

Everyone coming into Wimbledon on one of the hottest days of the year was strongly urged to keep refilling water bottles as London was tagged with a severe weather warning.

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Sabalenka was facing Amanda Anisimova in the first of the two women's semi-finals, as the Belarussian world No.1 looked to book her spot on a first Wimbledon final.

The top seed has watched as her most likely challengers have all fallen by the wayside during the tournament, while she powered her way into the final four.

Strikingly, during a change in ends at 5-4 in favour of Anisimova, another fan in the crowd fell ill. Again, Sabalenka spotted them, headed over to help and handed out a bottle of water.

David Law, commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "We're looking at the sort of heat that you wouldn't want to spend a long time sitting in.

"Anyone who has got a ticket here to come to semi-finals day is thrilled and doesn't want to move and wants to see every ball, but these are tough conditions, this is seriously hot."