Tennis: Sharapova escapes scare as heat takes its toll

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

MELBOURNE (AFP) — Russian top seed Maria Sharapova survived a massive scare before beating Camille Pin in sapping heat at the Australian Open amid tightened security after violence marred the opening day here. Men's second seed Rafael Nadal also progressed, avoiding the worst of the weather when the roof of the Rod Laver Arena was closed ahead of his match with Robert Kendrick of the United States, who he beat 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-2.

On a scorching Melbourne day with temperatures touching 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), the women's top seed finally squeezed past the unseeded Frenchwoman 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 in two hours 51 mins. It sets up a second round clash with fellow Russian Anastassia Rodionova. But it was heavy going as Sharapova, red-faced, dripping sweat and swearing at the...