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The US Open semi-final between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova was held up\u00a0after a protest in the stands.<\/p>\n
Three people, wearing T-shirts bearing the words \u2018fossil fuels\u2019 began shouting after the first game of the second set, forcing play to be stopped.<\/p>\n
American teenager Gauff and Czech 10th seed Muchova initially stayed on the court for about 10 minutes while security tried to deal with the situation.<\/p>\n
The Arthur Ashe crowd at one point began chanting \u201ckick them out\u201d with the protesters apparently being difficult to shift.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre they like talking to them or are they going to remove them?\u201d Gauff asked chair umpire Alison Hughes and tournament referee Jake Garner.<\/p>\n
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She then spoke to her coach, Brad Gilbert, saying \u201cthey say they are negotiating, like it\u2019s a hostage situation. What should I do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both players eventually left the court with Gauff leading 6-4 1-0.<\/p>\n