French Open fans rage after being told to leave Djokovic match due to Covid-19 curfew - in pictures

Serbia's Novak Djokovic leaves the court as spectators are told to leave the Philippe Chatrier's stands to respect Paris' Covid-19 curfew. AFP

A spectator waves the Serbian flag during the quarter-final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Matteo Berrettini of Italy at the French Open. EPA

Italy's Matteo Berrettini looks at people leaving the Philippe Chatrier stands. AFP

Members of the audience leave the Philippe Chatrier stands in line with local Covid-19 curfew. AFP

Service staff directs spectators to leave Philippe-Chatrier due to Covid-19 curfew. EPA

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Matteo Berrettini of Italy temporarily leave the court. EPA

A general view of a staff member in the stands. Reuters

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Italy's Matteo Berrettini during their men's singles quarter-final French Open match. AFP

A general view as the sun sets during Serbia's Novak Djokovic's quarter final match against Italy's Matteo Berrettini. Reuters

Spectators leave Philippe-Chatrier due to Covid-19 curfew laws. EPA

Novak Djokovic's bid to reach a 40th Grand Slam semi-final was held up Wednesday when 5,000 fans had to be shunted away at the French Open to conform with a Covid-19 curfew.

Djokovic was 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 3-2 ahead in his quarter-final against Matteo Berrettini when play was halted just before 11pm to allow spectators to leave.

Some fans chanted: "We are going to stay, we are going to stay" before they relented and filed out of Court Philippe Chatrier.

"We paid €500 euros for two-and-a-half sets of a match. It's unacceptable," said one man watching the quarter-final with his wife and two children.

"They should have started at 7pm and not 8pm."

Wednesday was the 10th and final evening session of the tournament.

World No 1 Djokovic went on to win the final set 7-5 to set up a potential mouth-watering semi-final showdown with defending champion Rafa Nadal.