French tennis player Gael Monfils says he was “dying on the court” during his defeat against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
Temperatures at Melbourne Park hit 39C as players across all courts struggled with the heat on day four of the first grand slam of the 2018 tennis season.
Monfils was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in his second-round clash against Djokovic and had to consult a doctor after experiencing dizziness because of the heat.
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“For sure we took a risk,” said Monfils. “We both have the same conditions but I think it’s maybe a little bit too hot.
“I’m telling you I was dying on the court for 40 minutes. Sometimes we put our bodies at risk so just be smart and, if you have to give up, it’s not a shame.”
Djokovic, who now faces Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Saturday, added: “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. [Today] it was right at the limit.”
Federer expects tough test against Gasquet
After defeating Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets, Roger Federer is expecting a tough third-round clash against Richard Gasquet.
Defending champion Federer said: “He’s got one of the best double-handed backhands in the game - the best in history maybe - I love playing the guy. We’ve had good matches over the years. He’s beaten me on clay and it’s a good match up. I expect it to be tough again.”
Seventh seed David Goffin is out after losing 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) to Julien Benneteau while former champion Stan Wawrinka was defeated 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 by Tennys Sandgren.
Konta and Muguruza out, but Halep is through
Britain’s Johanna Konta was shocked by world No.123 Bernarda Pera in the second round in Melbourne - losing 6-4, 7-5.
Ninth seed Konta said that despite the defeat she will take the positives away. She said: “It’s a bit frustrating but I’m still taking good stuff from this. I don’t feel, by any means, it’s a massive catastrophe. I play every event to be there until the end, so I definitely don’t want to be going home this early.”
Another top seed to be sent packing this morning was Spain’s Garbine Muguruza. The Wimbledon champion, seeded third in Melbourne, lost in straight sets to Taiwan’s world No.88 Hsieh Su-wei.
After her 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 win over Muguruza, Hsieh will go on to play 26th seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the third round.
While Konta and Muguruza were beaten in Melbourne, world No.1 Simona Halep was in top form as she beat Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-2.
Five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova is also through after a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) victory over Anastasija Sevastova.
