Witnesses say a fight broke out among some fans during...

Witnesses say a fight broke out among some fans during a match between tennis players Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic, above, and Philipp Petzschner at the U.S. Open Thursday. (Sept. 2, 2010)

At the U.S. Open, the action went beyond the tennis court.

A brawl between fans in the stands Thursday night briefly stopping a match between Novak Djokovic and Philipp Petzschner.

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At the U.S. Open, the action went beyond the tennis court.

A brawl between fans in the stands Thursday night briefly stopping a match between Novak Djokovic and Philipp Petzschner.

Witnesses say the fisticuffs started when a female fan told a young man he should stop using the F-word. He challenged her to hit him if she had a problem with his language, and she slapped him in the face. He slapped her back, and another man joined the fray.

Security guards quickly escorted the three out of the stadium.

Djokovic won in straight sets. He then joked that he hoped the fight didn’t involve anyone from his native Serbia.