This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/16/australian-open-extreme-heat-policy

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Extreme heat stops play at Australian Open Extreme heat stops play at Australian Open
(34 minutes later)
Some matches were suspended on Thursday at the Australian Open, with organisers implementing the Extreme Heat Policy when the temperature reached 42C (108F).Some matches were suspended on Thursday at the Australian Open, with organisers implementing the Extreme Heat Policy when the temperature reached 42C (108F).
Matches on the outer courts were stopped at the end of sets that were in progress when the heat rules went into effect. Matches in progress on the show courts continued, with the retractable roofs on Rod Laver and Hisense arenas to be closed at the completion of ongoing sets.Matches on the outer courts were stopped at the end of sets that were in progress when the heat rules went into effect. Matches in progress on the show courts continued, with the retractable roofs on Rod Laver and Hisense arenas to be closed at the completion of ongoing sets.
Australian Open organizers invoked part of the special conditions before play began, allowing women's matches to have an extended break after the second set and players to wear ice vests during changeovers. Temperatures were forecast to reach 44C (111F) at Melbourne Park on Thursday.Australian Open organizers invoked part of the special conditions before play began, allowing women's matches to have an extended break after the second set and players to wear ice vests during changeovers. Temperatures were forecast to reach 44C (111F) at Melbourne Park on Thursday.
Alize Cornet of France sobbed on court after her draining 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Italian Camila Giorgi, which lasted two and a half hours hours. Alize Cornet of France sobbed on court after her draining 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Italian Camila Giorgi, which lasted two and a half hours.
"I think I spent enough time on this court for today," she said in her post-match, on-court interview. "I went really further than my limits. It was really hot, that's why I'm so emotional.""I think I spent enough time on this court for today," she said in her post-match, on-court interview. "I went really further than my limits. It was really hot, that's why I'm so emotional."
"Doing something physical in this heat it's just unbelievable. Even you guys [in the crowd] sitting in the sun, it must be terrible.""Doing something physical in this heat it's just unbelievable. Even you guys [in the crowd] sitting in the sun, it must be terrible."
Cornet plays Maria Sharapova, whose match lasted more than three hours, on Saturday, when the temperatures are predicted to drop to highs of 21 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit). Cornet plays Maria Sharapova, whose match lasted more than three hours, on Saturday, when the temperatures are predicted to drop to highs of 21C (70F).
"I'm so happy now, I can play in normal conditions," said Cornet."I'm so happy now, I can play in normal conditions," said Cornet.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.