Tennis - Australian Open: Andy Murray's father-in-law collapses courtside as match is suspended

Nigel Sears, father of Andy Murray's wife Kim, is recovering after collapsing courtside at the Australian Open today.

The 58-year-old is coaching former women's world No.1 Ana Ivanovic and was watching her match against Madison Keys at the time.

It has been reported that Sears had a bad fall down the stairs in the stands at Rod Laver Arena.

Ivanovic was leading 6-4, 1-0 in the second set of the third round encounter - but she ww=ent on to lose the match.

Play was suspended while Sears received medical attention then taken away on a stretcher but restarted around an hour later.

A witness told Reuters that Sears was conscious and appeared to be speaking to medical staff as they treated him before he was taken out of the stadium to hospital.

The Press Association also reported that Jamie Murray, brother of Andy, said that Sears was sitting up and talking after arriving in hopsital.

[MURRAY WIN OVERSHADOWED BY NIGEL SEARS COLLAPSE]

[IVANOVIC BEATEN AFTER HER COACH TAKEN TO HOSPITAL]

Bizarrely, it's the second time this tournament that something like this has happened to Ivanovic - her last match was also halted when a spectator fell badly in the stands and needed treatment.

British No.1 Murray himself was playing Joao Sousa in his third round match at the time and was unaware of what was happening.

He was a set up but lost the second set while Sears was being treated. He went on to win the match, however.

The Scot and his wife Kim are expecting their first child next month.