Ball girl collapses in Australian Open heat as players rush to help / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
-
Thukukile Zuma Resigns from ANC Johannesburg Leadership Amid Disciplinary Dispute
-
Russia Orders 100,000 Kometa Modules to Counter Ukrainian Electronic Warfare
-
CM Mohan Yadav Meets Bohra Spiritual Leader to Discuss Simhastha 2028 and Development
-
Mahayuti-backed Rajesh Patil Elected Chairman of Gokul Dairy Amidst Political Deadlock
-
Eli Crane Defeats Jonathan Nez in Tight Arizona Congressional Race
-
David Walliams Identified as Celebrity in Sexual Misconduct Allegations After Legal Bid
-
Sherilyn Smith Encourages Women to Embrace Scars as Symbols of Resilience
-
Korea's Severe Asthma Patients Blocked from Biologics by Restrictive Reimbursement Rules
-
Belgium Signs Contract for 20 Rheinmetall Skyranger Air Defence Systems
-
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Signs Pacts With London and Ottawa Institutions at CIIE
Ball girl collapses in Australian Open heat as players rush to help
Play was halted during an Australian Open first-round match Sunday when a ball girl fainted as temperatures soared, with players Zeynep Sonmez and Ekaterina Alexandrova rushing to help her.
The incident happened as Russian 11th seed Alexandrova was serving during the second set with the girl falling onto her back while standing at the base of the umpire's chair.
Emerging Turkish star Sonmez sprinted over to help while Alexandrova fetched ice bags from a courtside fridge, before she received medical attention.
Play was suspended for several minutes with temperatures reaching 28 Celsius.
When they resumed, qualifier Sonmez stunned Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 for the biggest win of her career.
The 23-year-old made headlines at Wimbledon last year, becoming the first player from Turkey to reach the third round at a Grand Slam in the Open era.
She will play either American wildcard Elizabeth Mandlik or Hungary's Anna Bondar next.
Temperatures have been known to soar past 40C during the Australian Open. They are forecast to reach a high of at least 36C this week.
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN
