MELBOURNE // BExtreme heat forced organisers to suspend play for several hours at the Australian Open yesterday following days of complaints about conditions that left some players fainting and vomiting.
With temperatures hitting 42°C officials finally called a halt just before 2pm local time, hauling players off courts and closing the roofs on the two main arenas.
The rare shutdown was the first in five years and follows near-record heat at Melbourne that has buckled tramlines and prompted 1,000 bush fires in the surrounding state.
In a bizarre twist, the action was further delayed by a sudden downpour that soaked the courts as the players were getting ready to return.
Some competitors have been furious about playing in this week’s oven-like heat after several fell ill during their matches.
Britain’s Andy Murray warned organisers were risking a tragedy.
Canada’s Frank Dancevic said he hallucinated a vision of cartoon dog Snoopy before blacking out, and China’s Peng Shuai vomited and cramped up during her loss to Kurumi Nara.
Ivan Dodig said he was afraid he was about to die after suffering severe cramps and retiring after four sets of his match against Damir Dzumhur.
America’s Varvara Lepchenko was the latest victim when she had her pulse and blood-pressure checked and was rubbed down with ice by staff during a medical timeout.
“Some of the girls can’t even talk after the match or practice,” said the Polish fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska.
Attendances have dropped sharply since Monday’s first-day record of 47,491. On Wednesday, the figure was about a third lower, at 32,911. Melbourne Park’s outdoor stadiums took on the surreal air of waiting rooms as spectators fanned themselves or sucked flavoured ice while waiting for the action to restart.
Organisers did not give a response when asked to comment on the players’ criticisms about the heat policy.
In the action that did take place, top men’s seeds Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer progressed serenely in straight sets to the third round.
Federer, a four-time champion in Melbourne, was pleased with his form as he defeated Blaz Kavcic in straight sets 6-2, 6-1, 7-6.
The Swiss has recently begun working with Stefan Edberg as his coach, and he said: “It was a good first two sets, I thought. I played really aggressive and it worked out. I think on these conditions and on the hard courts it’s what we want to try to do, especially early in the tournament, without taking stupid chances.
“But I did do a really good job for most of the match.
“Of course, I was overly aggressive at times, but I’d rather be that than overly passive and the error counts started mounting, as well.”
In the women’s draw, Maria Sharapova had to fight to reach the third round of the tournament. “I worked really hard in the last few months and I wanted this match,” the No 3 seed said after she overcame Karin Knapp 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.
“I didn’t play my best tennis. I didn’t do many things well. But I got through it, and sometimes that’s what’s important.”
The defending champion and No 2 seeded Victoria Azarenka beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-4 in her match.
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Del Potro latest big name to fall in Australia
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Juan Martin del Potro became the first major casualty in the Australian Open men’s draw when he was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 by Spain’s Roberto Bautista in the second round.
The Argentine No 5 seed had looked in good form going into the tournament as he won the Sydney International event last week, but he came undone against the world No 62, who struck 72 winners to clinch victory in three hours, 53 minutes, and a place in the third round of a grand slam for the first time.
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