“Monfils is physically in a daze right now”, Jim Courier said while commentating on the match at the time.
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Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, World No.10 prevailed over Karen Khachanov of Russian Federation 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (0-7), 6-4 securing a place in the Australian Open third round for the first time since 2013.
French player Gael Monfils struggled in the heat during his second-round loss to Novak Djokovic on Thursday and described the conditions as a risk to players.
Djokovic, President of the ATP Tour Player Council, addressed players at a meeting in Melbourne last week about pushing for a bigger slice of the financial windfall generated at the sport’s four biggest annual events.
“Monfils is physically in a daze right now”, four-time grand slam victor Jim Courier said on the Seven Network.
“As I said, it’s nothing major to be concerned about”. I’m not looking too much about the age, just how I’m feeling. “I will try to feel better for that match and then see if I am still winning”.
Organisers defended the decision to allow play to continue, but conceded the heat policy would be reviewed at the end of the tournament.
Monfils said: “I was dying on the court for 40 minutes”.
Below is all you need to know to follow the Australian Open action on Friday.
Monfils said he may have had a heat stroke on the court.
“I think there is a limit, and that is a level of I guess tolerance between being fit and being, I think, in danger in terms of health. I played well at the net, finished the balls off with a swing volley or good volley”, Sharapova, whose smile matched the brightness of the Melbourne afternoon sun, said. “I love Australia. I love the summertime”, she told a news conference after beating Anastasija Sevastova 6-1 7-6 (4) in the second round.
But she added: “I would never give up”. I have nothing to say. I like to, sometimes, play in heat.
But it proved to be little impediment for the 12-time grand slam victor, who maintained his unbeaten record against the 21st-seed Ramos-Vinolas.
In 2016, players were taken off the courts during the opening round of qualifiers, while Canadian Frank Dancevic complained about the open’s “inhuman” conditions in 2014. “Two choices, either play or don’t play. I think I had a small heat stroke for 40 minutes”.
Also advancing were 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, No. 19 Tomas Berdych, No. 25 Fabio Fognini, No. 26 Adrian Mannarino, No. 29 Richard Gasquet and Chung Hyeon.
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Elite tennis is a small world in many ways, and Beltz was in Vekic’s players’ box at Margaret Court Arena, having linked up with the Croatian during the off-season.
