PARIS — A large sheet of metal paneling that detached from a giant TV screen in strong winds and crashed onto center court spectators below slightly injured three people and caused a mid-match suspension of about 40 minutes to a French Open quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The paneling, longer than a bed, hit a barrier and a piece of equipment on its way down, slowing its fall before tumbling onto packed rows of spectator seating.
French Open organizers said none of the injuries were serious. One man evacuated by first-aiders clutching his right arm lifted his left arm to wave to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier as he was led away.
Fans remove the screen.APSecurity guards temporarily evacuated about 200 spectators from their seats and cordoned off the area while workers inspected the back of the screen, which looms over the clay court, projecting scores and television images from matches.
Fan waves to crowd after being injured by the screen.APThe sheet of metal appeared to have detached from the top of the screen. The wind was blowing so strongly that flags around Roland Garros were flying horizontally.
Quarterfinalists Kei Nishikori and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bided their time during the suspension, first on court and then back in the locker room. Tsonga was up 6-1, 5-2.
Spectators were allowed back into their seats when play resumed.
