Australian Open Day 2: Melbourne burns as Federer advances and Hewitt exits

Melbourne sizzled, and many fizzled into retirement as the Australian Open witnessed furnace-like conditions with temperatures shooting up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a brutal day to play outdoors and for most, heat was a bigger opponent than the one on the court. Unfortunately, the searing heat is set to continue until Friday which is definitely not something either the players or the fans would be looking forward to.

Here’s a look at the stories that made the headlines:

Aussie heartbreak and the rise of hope

Lleyton Hewitt in action during his 5-set loss to Andreas Seppi on Day 2 of the 2014 Australian Open

It was curtains for eternal Aussie warrior Lleyton Hewitt as a valiant effort proved short in his five-set loss to Italy’s Andreas Seppi. Hewitt went down two sets to love but it was his indomitable spirit, as always, that spurred him on to take it to a decider where he even had a match point. Unfortunately, a break at the fag end of the match did him in as the recently-crowned Brisbane champion lost 7-6(4), 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 7-5.

But all was not lost as hope flickered for the nation, with the rise of two fledgling talents who are assured of star status in the future. The two teenagers kept the flag flying for Australia on their debut as Nick Kyrgios doused the fire of Benjamin Becker 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 7-6(2) and Thanasi Kokkinakis kept his cool on a hot day to oust Igor Sijsling 7-6(4), 0-6, 7-6(3), 6-2.

Heated up!

Melbourne was a simmering frying pan and the Australian Open came under sharp criticism for the organizers’ decision to keep the roof open and not invoke the extreme heat policy. The Happy Slam turned woeful as there were heat casualties and everybody struggled to stay outside in the oppressive heat. A ballboy bore the brunt as he fainted, and Frank Dancevic, who was locked in a battle with Benoit Paire, collapsed. In the ladies’ draw, China’s Shuai Peng was the most affected as she later admitted that the extreme heat caused her to cramp and vomit.

In the hottest Australian Open since 2009, heat took centre-stage as evidenced by some of the players’ quotes:

Victoria Azarenka: ‘’It felt pretty hot, like you’re dancing in a frying pan or something like that.’’

Frank Dancevic: ‘’I think it’s inhumane, I don’t think it’s fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to the sport, when you see players pulling out of matches, passing out.’’

Juan Martin del Potro: “I mean, it was for both player, but is tough to play long rallies, to manage the weather conditions. It’s tough to play in these kind of conditions.’’

The anti-climax

Much was written about World No. 1 Rafael Nadal’s impending first round clash with the mercurial talent Bernard Tomic, and all eyes were set on this hyped match. But the encounter didn’t last more than a set as the young Aussie had to retire due to a groin injury. The 21-year-old Sydney runner-up was setting up for an entertaining contest but he couldn’t continue despite taking a medical time-out after the third game. Rafa won 6-4 via retirement.

Marathon man

It was the dramatic display on Court No. 7 that kept everybody hooked as neither player would give up. This was a testament of the sheer will power and guts of two men who carried on in the fifth set despite the trying conditions. Ultimately Gilles Simon got the better of Daniel Brands 6-7(4), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 16-14 after saving seven match points. To think of the fact that Simon was on crutches just two days back, makes his effort all the more admirable.

‘Fed-berg’ and the record 57th appearance

Roger Federer was as elegant as ever during his victory over James Duckworth

‘Fedberg’ made its much-awaited debut as Roger Federer’s box was embellished for the first time with the presence of the six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg, who’s now a member of the 17-time Grand Slam champion’s coaching team. As for Federer, he added another milestone to his burgeoning achievements. This was the elegant Swiss’s record 57th Grand Slam appearance, and his performance was also polished and crisp as the bigger racquet did the trick in dismantling James Duckworth 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Most top stars shine

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka looked rusty initially but finished on a high, and so did Maria Sharapova. Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Help mercilessly demolished their opponents while Agnieszka Radwanska needed three sets to win. Jelena Jankovic and Sloane Stephens also won, but Svetlana Kuznetsova departed.

Amongst the men, Andy Murray played a Grand Slam match for the first time since his surgery and produced a clinical display. Juan Martin del Potro and Milos Raonic both lost a set while Frenchmen Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils cruised. Fate, however, was cruel to John Isner as he retired with an ankle injury.

Blame it on everybody!

Marinko Matosevic didn’t win, but was the talking point thanks to his talking. It was yet another first round loss for the Aussie as he fell to a 0-12 record in Grand Slam matches. This time though, he came close, but succumbed in a frustrating five-setter to Kei Nishikori. Afterwards he vented out his feelings in the press-conference. It was definitely not desirable and was an absolutely amateurish outburst as he fired salvos at the crowd, the umpire and even his coach, Mark Woodforde.

Record retirement

There were 9 retirements in the first round at this year’s Australian Open, of which eight were men and only one was from the women’s draw. The number equaled the Open Era Grand Slam record in a round – set at the 2011 US Open.