PARIS (AP)—Local favorite Gael Monfils of France survived three match points in a thrilling second round match against Fabio Fognini that was suspended because of darkness at the French Open on Wednesday.
Play was halted shortly before 2200 local time (2000 GMT) at 5-5 in the fifth set.
The 13th-seeded Monfils, who won the first two sets before letting the 92nd-ranked Italian come back into the match, saved three match points in the 10th game of the fifth set.
Fognini was handed a penalty point before the start of the ninth game in the decider for his reluctance to play because of darkness.
The ball could hardly be seen from the press stand, and there was a prolonged discussion with tournament referee Stefan Fransson about whether to suspend the match.
Booed by a buoyant crowd, Fognini appeared unhappy with an initial decision to continue and kept arguing, which led to Monfils being awarded a free point.
Fognini accrued three match points at 5-4, but failed to convert any, and had some more choice words for the chair umpire while packing up his equipment for the night with the score at 2-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 5-5.