Melbourne, Jan 15: Title favourites Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams shrugged off a second day of intense heat to reach the Australian Open third round today alongside China’s Li Na.
Djokovic, watched by new coach Boris Becker, flew past against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-0, 6-4, 6-4, extending his Melbourne streak to 23 straight wins.
With temperatures close to 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) Williams also took the fast route with a 63-minute demolition of Serbia’s Vesna Dolonc.
“It was tough conditions out there. I think it keeps getting hotter. Every day is really hot,” said the 17-time Grand Slam title-winner.
Li, twice a finalist at Melbourne Park, subdued a challenge from Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic, touted as the new Martina Hingis, to make the third round for the fifth year in a row.
Spanish third seed David Ferrer beat France’s Adrian Mannarino to progress alongside Tomas Berdych, the world number seven, who downed Kenny De Schepper.
Ice packs and energy drinks remained in high demand after Canada’s Frank Dancevic fainted and China’s Peng Shuai vomited in extreme temperatures on Tuesday.
After a tournament-record nine withdrawals in the first round, Croatia’s Ivan Dodig became the latest casualty when he pulled out with cramp in the fourth set of his match against Damir Dzumhur.
Reports said that Dodig thought he might have “died” in the hot conditions, blasting them as unacceptable.
Despite complaints about the heat, which is forecast to remain for another two days, organisers have baulked at halting play, saying humidity is low enough to mitigate any risk.
Djokovic, a previous casualty of the Australian heat after retiring during his 2009 quarter-final, said his switch to a gluten-free diet had helped him cope. (AGENCIES)
ea�� om� = emis thanMaharashtra who have come from lower rung group C. But any team at this stage is strong, they (Bengal) have to play all five days of good cricket to be in the final,” he said of Bengal who will face Maharashtra inIndore from January 18-22.
Ganguly further said India would do well in the five ODI and two-Test series in New Zealand, an “inferior” side to South Africa.
“They dont have (Dale) Steyn or (Morne) Morkel in their side. New Zealand are an inferior side in comparison to South Africa. If their coaches are intelligent enough, they would have out and out greentops.
“I’m very very hopeful of success against New Zealand. We’ve just come back from a tough tour of South Africa, losing both Test and ODI series. We have seen India doing well after a difficult tour. But I’m hopeful of Team India doing well in New Zealand.”
Ganguly, who has already got an honorary fellowship from University of Central Lancashire, will be conferred D.Litt by the Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur.
“That I will be honoured in my home town makes it all the more special. It’s a big honour for me. I feel proud,” Ganguly concluded. (PTI)
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