Nadal and Federer catch breaks, reach 3rd round
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Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray rose victorious from one of the Australian Open’s most chaotic days yesterday when a rare extreme heat shutdown and a surprise rainstorm threw the tournament into disarray.
After severe temperatures reaching 43.4 degrees Celsius forced organizers to take the rare step of suspending play on the outside courts and closing the stadium roofs, the big trio were able to play in air-conditioned comfort.
World No. 1 Nadal blitzed Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in less than two hours.
Nadal admitted he was “very glad” to play under the stadium roof.
Federer, playing with Hisense Arena closed to the elements, produced a classic display as he took apart Slovenia’s Blaz Kavcic to reach the third round.
And Murray later took apart France’s Vincent Millot, including a memorable fightback from 5-1 down in the final set, to show he remains a force even after back surgery.
Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki were also glad to reach round three on a topsy-turvy day, with more in prospect today when temperatures are forecast to hit 44 Celsius.
Following days of players fainting, vomiting and complaining bitterly about the heat, a suspension was finally announced at 2pm.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori dispatched Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) while fifth seeded Marin del Potro crashed out.
A serve-volleying Federer showed distinct shades of his new coach, Stefan Edberg, as he overwhelmed Kavcic 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
“It would be nice if I can take some good things away from that as well,” Federer said. “Stefan was probably one of the greatest of all time in terms of serve and volley.
Other winners on the men’s side included: No. 11 Milos Raonic, No. 22 Grigor Dimitrov, Donald Young, No. 25 Gael Monfils, and No. 26 Feliciano Lopez
Defending women’s champion Azarenka, also playing under the center court roof, crushed Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-4 in 88 minutes.
Other women to reach the third round included No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska, No. 8 Jelena Jankovic, No. 10 Caroline Wozniacki, No. 11 Simona Halep, No. 13 Sloane Stephens, and No. 16 Carla Suarez Navarro.
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