New Delhi: British number one Andy Murray's father-in-law Nigel Sears collapsed while watching Ana Ivanovic's third round match of the Australian Open on Saturday on Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.


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Sears, 58, who is coaching Serbian Ivanovic for the second time, fell heavily in the stands in the interval after the first game of the second set. He was taken to hospital, conscious but injured, even as Murray made into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the eighth year in row.


The chair umpire was forced to suspend Ivanovic's match against American Madison Keys for about an hour before resuming. ESPN reported that there was, “a massive pool of blood” where Sears collapsed.


It's reported that the sad news was passed on social media to Murray’s court, Margaret Court Arena. But despite evident consternation in world number 2's box, Murray beat his Portuguese opponent Joao Sousa 6-2 3-6 6-2 6-2.


Further reports revealed that Kim's father was applied a defibrillator and carried him away on a stretcher. The fact that the match resumed, even though they had the option to suspend, meant that Sears is at least improving.


Later, Ivanovic lost the match in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.


He has previously worked with Daniela Hantuchova and Amanda Coetzer and was also captain of the British Fed Cup team.