Australian Open matches suspended due to extreme heat at Melbourne Park

The intense heat at Melbourne Park has forced the suspension of matches at the Australian Open.

Due to the intense heat, play at the Australian Open was stopped on Tuesday afternoon.

The tournament's heat stress scale, which also considers humidity and wind speed, registered five shortly after 2 p.m. with the temperature in the mid-30s, indicating that play had to be suspended on the outdoor courts.

One of those impacted was British No. 2 Dan Evans, who was leading Argentina's Facundo Bagnis in the opening round by a score of two sets to one.

The first announcement stated that "at 1:12 p.m., the AO Heat Stress Scale hit 4, and the heat policy went into effect." Between the second and third sets in singles play and the third and fourth sets in men's play, a 10-minute break is allowed.

"Players can choose to use the showers or the locker rooms instead of staying on the court."Later, it was amended to read: "Play on the outdoor courts will be halted since the AO Heat Stress Scale has surpassed 5."

This indicates that play continues until an even number of games have been played or a tie break has been completed. There won't be any more matches called to court. The use of the outdoor practise courts is also halted. The Rod Laver's under-roof action continued.John Cain and Margaret Court arenas.

The choice was made moments before Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini's match on the Laver could begin, allowing it to begin inside.Taylor Fritz and Nikoloz Basilashvili's encounter on Cain was the other one held inside.

The tournament's warmest day, Tuesday, was predicted to be followed by Wednesday's potential for thunderstorms and milder temperatures.

The fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev defeated 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in one of the matches that was finished early, while Grigor Dimitrov defeated Aslan Karatsev 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-2 in another.

In the women's draw, Elise Mertens defeated two-time Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 1-6. Fourth seed Caroline Garcia defeated Katherine Sebov 6-3, 6-0. She will now play 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez, who defeated Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-2.