Ball boys at the US Open frantically chase bugs on the court

A ball boy at the US Open went on a wild chase to catch with his hands an insect that was interrupting a match.

Late Tuesday, American Francis Tiafoe faced Bulgarian tennis pro Grigor Dimitrov at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

During the second set, play was briefly halted when Tiafoe spotted a flying insect on his side of the court. Two ball boys tried to catch it but had difficulty catching the insect.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 03: Frances Tiafoe of the United States reacts after holding her serve against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during their men’s singles quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2024 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 3, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The crowd cheered when one of the ball boys managed to grab the ball and keep it alive.

REGARD:

At the time of the interruption, the score in the second set was 4:4. Tiafoe won the first set 6:4. “NOT ALL HEROES WEAR A CAPE,” said the official US Open account to celebrate the ninth day of the tournament.

Ball boys attempt to catch a butterfly during the men’s singles quarterfinal match between USA’s Frances Tiafoe and Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov on day nine of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 3, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) / ALTERNATIVE CROP (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Grigor Dimitrov retired from the match due to injury, leaving the American to take the lead. Tiafoe led 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1, while Dimitrov’s pace waned in the third set due to an apparent leg injury.

Tiafoe to his second major semi-final appearance ever.

“Of course, this is not the way I want to progress. But of course I’m happy to have progressed,” said Tiafoe after the victory. “Another semi-final here. Unbelievable.”

USA’s Frances Tiafoe watches as ball boys try to catch a butterfly during her men’s singles quarterfinal match against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov on day nine of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 3, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

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