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'Extreme heat' interrupts Australian Open

Wednesday January 28, 2009 - 15:45 EDT

Australian Open organisers were forced to interrupt the tennis tournament for the first time today as temperatures rocketed to a sizzling 41 degrees Celsius.

The women's singles quarter-final between Serena Williams and Vera Zvonareva was halted for about 45 minutes as organisers enacted their "extreme heat policy" and closed the roof on Rod Laver Arena.

Doubles matches on the smallest of the main stadiums were moved to Hisense Arena, which also has a roof.

The move comes a day after Novak Djokovic pulled out of his quarter-final with heat-related problems, the first time a defending champion has withdrawn in the Open era.

On Monday, Belarus's Victoria Azarenka became ill and staggered around the court in tears during her last-16 match with Williams, which was also played in baking heat.

Spectators on Rod Laver Arena fanned themselves, sucked ice lollies and held up signs saying "Thank you for closing the roof!" as the policy came into effect.

- AFP

- AFP

© AFP 2008