MELBOURNE (PA Media/dpa): Australian Open organisers have made changes to the schedule because of extreme heat for the second time in four days.
After the start of play was brought forward on Saturday, action will begin on outside courts on Tuesday at 9 am (2200 GMT), while the start of the wheelchair competitions has been delayed until Wednesday.
Play was suspended on uncovered courts for almost five hours on Saturday after the tournament’s heat stress scale - which takes into account air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed - reached the cut-off mark of five.
The roofs were used on the three main show courts - Rod Laver, Margaret Court and John Cain arenas - and the same outcome is likely on Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to be even hotter, and potentially up to around 46 Celsius by 5 pm.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is scheduled first on Rod Laver at 11.30 am against American teenager Iva Jovic, with Alexander Zverev’s clash with Learner Tien following not before 1.30 pm.
It was that slot that two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner played in on Saturday and struggled with cramp before the roof closed.
Ball boys and girls will spend less time on court and have more time in between stints, while tournament organisers have warned spectators to prepare for the conditions and stay hydrated. - PA Media/dpa
