Kerber revival meets Sharapova roadblock as Melbourne cools

It was nearly 40 degrees Celsius when Djokovic and Monfils were doing battle on Rod Laver Arena, so dropped to around 30°C by the time Federer defeated Struff 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4). That’s what happens when we play each other.

On a searing hot day at Melbourne Park when the temperature hit 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), No. 9 Wawrinka, No. 7 David Goffin and No. 13 Sam Querrey were the three seeded players to fall in the men’s draw.

“I was thinking at that point she still has to win four more balls to win this match, and don’t make it easy for her”, Wozniacki said. But it’s not my call. “But we know it’s like this in Australia – the next day it can be freezing”.

Novak Djokovic attempts to cool down between games.

“I’m very happy to be here as it’s very special for me to be here on Rod Laver Arena”.

The Anchorman star asked Roger Federer some freakish questions at the Australian Open.

Djokovic said the conditions were some of the toughest he’s ever played in, and had some advice for organizers with temperatures predicted to rise to 42 degrees C (108 degrees F) on Day 5.

“The conditions were brutal”, said the Serbian. “We both struggled”, he said.

“Gael is one of the best athletes in our sport but he was not at his best in the second and third sets”. “I had pain everywhere but I’m still standing up”, he said afterwards.

Kerber has turned over a new leaf in a number of ways, parting ways with long-time coach Torben Beltz in November, the man who guided her to two grand slam titles and the world number one ranking in 2016 during an eight-year partnership.

By the time Djokovic plays Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Saturday the temperature is forecast to have dropped substantially, but those players competing on Friday face even more brutal conditions.

“Especially in these conditions, the physical fitness is the most important”, Thiem said after his second career 0-2 comeback.

“Most of the time I’m picking out the dead body from the bug”.

“Of course we’re all blessed to have great financial compensation, great lives”. “It’s very hard to drive over here, for me”.

Both players hung iced towels around their necks at changeovers and Monfils, who leant on his racquet at times, seemingly to remain standing, needed the doctor, telling the umpire he was feeling sick.

Djokovic urged tennis organizers to be more flexible about the rules for drink breaks, time between points and suspension of play when the conditions were bordering on risky. They’re struggling some way or another, health-wise or physiologically. If you had a unsafe player, he was a serve-volley player, a chip-and-charge player. There is no indication that we’re going to have any discussion for a shorter season or anything like it.

But just over an hour in, the heat got to the Frenchmen. “But you push your body so hard, you nearly feel like you’re on the edge”. You’re always obliged to play the mandatory events.

“Maybe too hot”, Monfils said.

“But it’s our choice at the same time”. I went to see it. I think I have a small heat stroke for 40 minutes.