Stars win but sweat it out in Sydney 'sauna'
Source: AFP |
January 9, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WORLD No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska said it was "too hot to play tennis" and China's Li Na said it was like a sauna as the Sydney International was hit by a searing heatwave yesterday.
Poland's Radwanska, who reached last year's Wimbledon final, battled fearsome temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius at the Olympic Park complex to brush past Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-4, 6-3.
While Radwanska reached the last eight, the major talking point was not the standard of play but the blistering heat ahead of next week's first grand slam event of the year at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
"I think this is too hot to play tennis," said Radwanska. "Even for players, for ball kids, for the people sitting out there, I think it's just too hot. I think I would prefer to go on court at 11:00pm and play a match."
The temperature climbed to a high of 41.4 Celsius in the early afternoon at the tournament, with cooler temperatures forecast for today.
Radwanska said she was trying not to alter her game in the conditions but admitted she had more of a battle with the heat than her opponent.
"I think the first main thing is just to stay calm and trying to survive," she said.
Li Na, who beat Japanese qualifier Ayumi Morita 6-1, 6-0, said she was reaching for the ice towels at each changeover.
"I was feeling like playing in a sauna. At the first changeover I didn't use an ice towel. I was feeling the heat was coming and I was like, 'What's going on'?" Li said.
"At the next changeover I was like, 'OK, I need an ice towel every changeover, otherwise I don't know how to play on the court'. It's too hot, but I'm still in the tournament, so it's good news."
Two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who had to qualify here, beat former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-2, while American qualifier Madison Keys defeated Zheng Jie of China 6-0, 6-4.
Second-seeded Angelique Kerber beat Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-2, 7-5 and No. 3 Sara Errani defeated Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1.
Poland's Radwanska, who reached last year's Wimbledon final, battled fearsome temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius at the Olympic Park complex to brush past Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-4, 6-3.
While Radwanska reached the last eight, the major talking point was not the standard of play but the blistering heat ahead of next week's first grand slam event of the year at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
"I think this is too hot to play tennis," said Radwanska. "Even for players, for ball kids, for the people sitting out there, I think it's just too hot. I think I would prefer to go on court at 11:00pm and play a match."
The temperature climbed to a high of 41.4 Celsius in the early afternoon at the tournament, with cooler temperatures forecast for today.
Radwanska said she was trying not to alter her game in the conditions but admitted she had more of a battle with the heat than her opponent.
"I think the first main thing is just to stay calm and trying to survive," she said.
Li Na, who beat Japanese qualifier Ayumi Morita 6-1, 6-0, said she was reaching for the ice towels at each changeover.
"I was feeling like playing in a sauna. At the first changeover I didn't use an ice towel. I was feeling the heat was coming and I was like, 'What's going on'?" Li said.
"At the next changeover I was like, 'OK, I need an ice towel every changeover, otherwise I don't know how to play on the court'. It's too hot, but I'm still in the tournament, so it's good news."
Two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who had to qualify here, beat former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-2, while American qualifier Madison Keys defeated Zheng Jie of China 6-0, 6-4.
Second-seeded Angelique Kerber beat Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-2, 7-5 and No. 3 Sara Errani defeated Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1.
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