There was a bizarre pause in play during Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s clash with Andrey Rublev in Barcelona, when the Spaniard’s racket was taken away during a changeover. The pair had played just three games with Rublev leading 2-1 on serve when they sat at their benches for the change of ends.

But Davidovich Fokina could not get up and continue, as the racket he had been using was taken away by a ball girl who thought he needed it to be restrung. The umpire was left racing to get the racket back before the strings were removed, sending messages on a walkie-talkie as the players waited on court.

Davidovich Fokina had requested that another racket be restrung for use later in the match. But a miscommunication delayed the round-of-16 match.

The world No. 30 rested the stick he was using on his bench when he sat down for the first changeover. And a member of staff believed it was the one Davidovich Fokina wanted to send off, taking it away from the centre court.

When Davidovich Fokina got up to resume the match, he realised it was gone, and chair umpire Manuel Messina scrambled to retrieve it.

“Andrey, the girl by mistake, she took the other racket to the stringer, the one he’s using for playing, so we just need to bring it back. She’s coming back with the right racket,” the official told Rublev.

Speaking into his walkie-talkie, Messina continued: “The girl took the racket to the stringer so she’s on her way. We need this racket for playing, it’s the racket that Alejandro is using for playing so we need it back.

“We’re at the changeover and we’re waiting. Can’t you tell her over the radio? Can you tell her, please, as soon as possible.”

Commentator Barry Cowan was stunned, admitting he’d never seen anything like it. “Oh my goodness, this is something else,” he exclaimed as the players continued to wait.

“This sport will always throw up something for the first time and I think this is a first. Well a halt in play, first time I’ve ever seen something like this.

“I know it’s not ideal for Davidovich Fokina but he will have another four, five, six in his bag.”

Co-commentator Sue Thearle replied: “Why is he not using those? Maybe it’s his lucky racket.”

The racket was finally returned to Davidovich Fokina before any damage was done, and play continued.

With his lucky racket back in his hands, the Spaniard saved three break points before going a break up himself. But Rublev broke straight back to cancel out his advantage.

Davidovich Fokina is looking to build on his impressive run in Monte-Carlo last week, where he reached the semi-final before losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.