I hope this match didn't take too much out of Heather before she plays No. 3 seed Ksenia Pervak in the QF. Pervak has a junior ranking of 188 and a senior ranking of 154.
During Heather's match the reporters were going outside for 10 min sessions and then going back inside to cool off. They were still playing while Serena's match was suspended. The temperature finally peaked at 43.4C just over 110F at 6.15 in the evening.
From ITF Article - Good to see Heather trying to find humour in the heat.
Poor old Heather Watson of Great Britain and her Japanese opponent Miyabi Inoue narrowly missed out on having their matches stopped because the third set of their match had already started when the Extreme Heat Policy was activated, leaving them no option but to play on and brave the punishing conditions. For the second half of the third set, theirs was the only match being played at Melbourne Park.
I think because wed started our match we had to finish it. I guess its my fault for allowing the match to go on so long! It was just so hot. Id have a cold drink and leave it by my chair at the change of ends and by the time Id come back to it the water would be boiling, said Watson, who found a way to win 76 46 64 but needed treatment after the match for overheating. Thank goodness I came out on top. Ive never played in such high temperatures. Straight after the match I stretched, I cooled off in the shower and then I went to an ice bath and then I had a massage and that made me feel ten times better. Even just in the second set I felt very dizzy and at one point I could see black in front of my eyes. I just had to tough it out. I was never going to give up because I really wanted to win that match. My feet were so hot. They were starting to hurt a bit.
Watson did at least benefit from a ten minute break between sets and afterwards admitted that she had desperately needed to return to the locker room to cool down. Thank goodness for that ten minute heat rule because it gave me a chance to cool off. I drank lots and I went in and out of a cold shower. Winning this match taught me that I can fight to the end. It helps to know that. It feels great that I gave it everything and I came out on top, she said.
Watson was joined the quarter-finals by fifth seeded compatriot Laura Robson, who beat Silvia Njiric of Croatia 64 62. Its fun to have Laura there too, said Watson. We get along really well and we are trying the best that we can to be top in the world and push each other on. She did great today as well and hopefully we can keep it going.
The biggest casualty in the girls competition was eighth seed Lauren Embree of the USA. She was beaten 62 64 by Anna Orlik of Belarus. In the boys tournament, sixth seeded Australian James Duckworth was upset when he lost 64 64 to Alexandros-Fernandos Georgoudas of Germany.
A belated well done to both girls - I checked teletext this morning before goint out but didn't have the computer on, I know if I start on tennis forums I will get carried away and forget the time!
It's ridiculous making juniors play in that heat. They should be prosecuted for child cruelty.
Terrible that they had to play on in that heat, but what a huge thing to have done it and come out on top. That must do wonders for Heather's confidence.
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Is the heat not more dangerous for juniors to play in than seniors? Temperatures are expected to be well in excess of 40 C again today. I hope the officials don't take any unnecessary risks. I believe temperatures are already about 100 F.