It was another scorcher at the Australian Open and for the second day in a row, a French player bore the worst of it then took aim at organizers.
After Gael Monfils suspected he sustained a heat stroke in Thursday’s blazing conditions, Alize Cornet crumpled to the court Friday as temperatures peaked at 40.2 degrees Celsius in Melbourne.
A visibly distressed Cornet stayed down for a few moments in her third-round match against Elise Mertens on Hisense Arena before gingerly walking to her chair and receiving medical attention.
The world No. 42 — who famously upset Serena Williams at Wimbledon four years ago — was able to continue but lost to the Belgian 7-5 6-4.
Afterward Cornet said the players were being sent to the “abattoir” by being asked to play in such weather. She echoed Novak Djokovic’s sentiments, too, that the tournament’s extreme heat rule needed a revamp.
Grigor Dimitrov and Elina Svitolina progressed to the last 16, while Andreas Seppi and Kyle Edmund — opponents in the next round — defied the heat to win five setters.
“They sent us a little bit to the abattoir,” Cornet told French media. “I get the impression that they are waiting for a drama to change the rule, a drama that can happen anytime in these conditions.
“Maybe there can be a coalition of players and we say we are boycotting, that we’re not going (to play).
“We are not robots.”
Tournament responds
The organizers didn’t use the roof on any of the three courts where it was available, going against the suggestion of Rafael Nadal — who crushed 28th seed Damir Dzumhur 6-1 6-3 6-1 — two days ago.
They defended their stance in a statement issued following Cornet’s ample criticism. Tournament referee Wayne McKewen said the heat rule was close to being implemented Friday but that the temperature subsequently dropped.
“Protecting our players and the fairness of the competition is paramount in these conditions, which we acknowledge can be challenging,” tournament director Craig Tiley said in the statement, adding that all policies are reexamined on a regular basis.
“I’ve said before that many of the players train hard for these conditions and expect to be able to play,” said Tiley.
“Their preparation is admirable, and although many have found the past couple of days challenging, they’ve worked hard to compete at this level.
“The conditions of play are established prior to the event, and this includes the Extreme Heat Policy. We start the event with this set of rules and policies in place, and in the interest of fairness, can’t change them halfway through.
“Of course we all understand that to compete in these conditions is not easy. It’s also challenging for our team, particularly those working out on court, including the ball kids and officials.
“We do everything we can to help ease everyone’s discomfort in these conditions.”
The tournament appeared to have a backer in likely tennis’ most popular player, Roger Federer, who largely stayed out of the heat by playing in Thursday’s night session but has found himself in sweltering Melbourne conditions in the past.
“We know it can be very hot here in Australia,” said the 19-time grand slam winner. “I remember the days when we had four days of 40 degrees in a row a few years back. Now we got two. Most of the guys now have to play in 30-plus degrees conditions.
“It’s definitely a challenge. It’s hard to prepare for that in some ways. But you know when you come down here that can happen.
“Sure, I’m happy I played at nighttime. But … I would back myself playing during the daytime also. Used to go to Dubai when it was 45. Thirty eight seems almost okay.
“The problem is at that temperature, sometimes your body just reacts funny just because it does. It is hard to get out of it, that feeling of not feeling well. Sure, I was watching the other players suffer. As long as nothing bad happens, it’s all good.”
Thankfully for players, fans and organizers, the temperature fell to 24 degrees at 8 p.m. local time Friday and the forecast the rest of the event looks manageable.
However, a spike is expected next Friday, Saturday and Sunday but on those days only one singles match is scheduled and all are at night.
Revenge for Dimitrov
Dimitrov played in the afternoon sun and got the better of Andrey Rublev 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4, gaining some revenge after the young, big-hitting Russian won their encounter at the US Open. Shade on the main show court provided a little respite.
Dimitrov was in control at a set and 4-2 but then had to overturn a 4-2 deficit in the third as actor Will Smith watched from the stands.
The Bulgarian entered Melbourne as the third seed after winning the year-end championships yet is bidding to reach a first grand slam quarterfinal since making the semis in Melbourne and losing a marathon to Nadal 12 months ago. He was nearly upset in the second round, stretched to 8-6 in the fifth set by US qualifier Mackenzie McDonald.
His next opponent is either the talented, controversial Nick Kyrgios or 2008 finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Svitolina ended the sojourn of fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who at 15 was the youngest player to reach a grand slam third round in more than 20 years, 6-2 6-2.
Svitolina — considered by some to be the favorite in the women’s draw after winning a title in Brisbane in January — needed a mere 59 minutes to advance.
Free lesson
Asked what she took out of the experience, Kostyuk replied: “A lot. How much you have to pay Svitolina to have a one-hour lesson, so I got it for free.”
Edmund, 23, is the last British player remaining in singles after Andy Murray’s injury withdrawal and Johanna Konta’s upset loss Thursday.
He outlasted Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-6 3-6 4-6 6-0 7-5, with the turning point perhaps coming when the world No. 49 broke the Georgian on his eighth chance in the second game of the fourth.
Veteran Seppi has enjoyed his finest grand slam moments in Melbourne, claiming the scalp of Federer in 2015 and Kyrgios last season.
Friday was certainly another high, as the world No. 76 defeated the huge-serving Ivo Karlovic 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (5-7) 9-7 in nearly four hours.
It was a brave effort, though, from Karlovic, who ousted Yuichi Sugita 12-10 in a fifth set Wednesday.
Seppi and Edmund battle for a spot in a maiden grand slam quarterfinal.
