'Trouble sleeping': French player accuses Russian rival of death threat on court

French tennis player Corentin Moutet said Russian rival Pavel Kotov threatened to kill him during a Challenger Tour event in France.

The pair met in the first round of the tournament but the match was suspended when light became an issue, with the scores locked at 7-5, 3-6, 5-5.

When the two players walked off the court, Moutet alleges that Kotov made a death threat.

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In a now deleted post, Moutet, who made the fourth round of the French Open last year, claimed his opponent said: "Next time you come to the net, I'll kill you. One day, someone will kill you."

He added: "There wasn't even a warning. Apparently, those words are allowed on court.

"How do you (the ATP) expect me not to get involved if you don't do your job?"

After he deleted the tweet, Moutet responded to a news account posting about his allegations, replying: "I'm going to have trouble sleeping."

Kotov, who was ranked world No. 50 last year, did not respond to the claims and went on to lose to Moutet, with the final set going to the Frenchman 7-5 when play resumed the next day.

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After sealing match point, Moutet celebrated with zest while Kotov did not wait at the net to shake his hand, instead thanking the umpire and grabbing his bags.

Both players have provoked unwanted headlines in the past.

Kotov drew the ire of the tennis world at last year's Australian Open for smashing a ball in anger next to a ball-girl.

Moutet was involved in a clash with Alexander Bublik earlier this year that saw the Kazakh star offer to "meet in the car park" for a fight.