EXTREME HEAT RULES

The temperature soared to 37 degrees at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park today and Tournament Director Wayne McKewen decided that matches which had already begun on the outside courts would be completed but no more would start anywhere, other than the two roofed main courts, until the temperature dropped back below 35. Sharapova and Pin finished their match with the roof open, but closed for Nadal and Kendrick. Our resident Aus, Russ says, “Yeah, Baby!” This is a tournament for real men [and women].

Sharapova struggled to win her match. In the third set, she asked the Umpire if there was a third set tie-break. To which he answered, three times, ' There is no third set tie-break.' Her core temp had probably carried her into delerium. Nalbandian’s opponent threw in the [sweat drenched] towel to concede the match. Safin won, but in 5 sets. Long matches do bode ill for the players. Recovery is not just about physical conditioning, but goes even deeper to a cellular level. Long matches will effect the rest of their matches in the tourney.