London
21 °C
Manchester
15 °C
Glasgow
Dublin
Belfast
Washington
Denver
Atlanta
Dallas
39 °C
Houston Texas
New Orleans
36 °C
El Paso
Phoenix
Los Angeles
20 °C
27 °C
28 °C
24 °C
28 °C
Play to resume at Australian Open after extreme heat break / Photo: © AFP
Play to resume at Australian Open after extreme heat break
Play was set to resume on outside courts at the Australian Open Tuesday following a three-hour delay after matches were halted due to extreme heat.
With players sweltering in 36 Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) temperatures, the tournament's five-part heat stress scale hit five.
The scale measures four climate factors -- radiant heat (strength of the sun), air temperature in the shade, relative humidity and wind speed.
The lowest level reading is one and the highest five, at which point play is suspended and the roofs are closed on its three main stadiums -- Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
Organisers said conditions had improved and play was set to resume at 5pm (0600 GMT).
L. Pchartschoy--BTZ
