Climate activists disrupt US Open women's semi-final

Climate protesters have halted the US Open women's semi-final between American Coco Gauff and Czech Karolina Muchova for nearly an hour.

With Gauff up a set and holding serve to open the second, a disturbance erupted on Thursday in the upper bowl of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the sport's largest venue with a seating capacity of over 23,000.

Stacey Allaster, United States Tennis Association [USTA] Chief Executive Professional Tennis, told ESPN the disturbance involved three climate protesters.

Two were removed peacefully, while a third had glued his feet to the cement floor, she added.

He was later freed and seen leaving the stadium in handcuffs. Photographs of the scene showed three protesters wearing shirts with the slogan, 'End Fossil Fuels'.

As players looked into the stands, security flooded into the section around where protesters were shouting.

Television pictures showed more than a dozen law enforcement officers in the section.

Players were escorted off the court by a USTA official and returned for a warm-up 45 minutes later before play resumed.

Climate protests in sports events

It is the latest in a recent series of protests at sporting events — and tennis, in particular — related to the use of fossil fuels.

Several major sporting events have been targeted by climate groups this year.

'Just Stop Oil' protesters interrupted play at Wimbledon in July, releasing orange ticker-tape mixed with jigsaw puzzle pieces during matches.

There were similar demonstrations during the recent World Snooker Championship and English Premiership rugby final.

Activists have also targeted Premier League matches and the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone.