#Adrian Mannarino-Alexander Zverev US Open match begins after mystery hold-up

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Adrian Mannarino in his second-round win at the US Open
AP

The third-round matchup between Frenchman Adrian Mannarino and No. 5 seed Alexander Zverev was held up for two hours and 45 minutes over issues regarding the Frenchman’s status in the “bubble within a bubble.’’

Ballboys and the chair umpire took the court at 2:30 and were then told to leave.

Mannarino and Zverev eventually took the court at 5:02 p.m. with their match starting at 18 minutes later.

“The Zverev-Mannarino match was delayed while a collaborative dialogue with health officials was conducted today,” the USTA said in a statement. “Communication with the players was ongoing during the afternoon to keep them updated at all times. Given the sensitivity of the medical issues involved, the USTA is not able to provide further details.”

Mannarino was associated with Benoit Paire last weekend before Paire tested positive for COVID-19 and was disqualified from the tournament. Mannarino and other Frenchmen who played cards with Paire were put in “a bubble within a bubble’’ set up, restricting their movements even beyond the other “bubble’’ Open entrants.

Mannarino had already have been fined by $2,500 when someone in his entourage failed to follow masking protocols.

At Ashe Stadium, a shirtless Zverev was seen lounging in a chair shirtless watching the Denis Shapovalov-Taylor Fritz matchup while he was supposed to be on court. The Open had not officially canceled the match and it still appeared on the schedule.

France’s Kristina Mladenovic, also in the extra bubble, called the extra restrictions “a nightmare’’ after losing her match Wednesday.