Wawrinka bows out to 97th-ranked Sandgren as temperatures soar
Struggling Swiss former winner Stan Wawrinka’s Australian Open campaign is over after a convincing second-round defeat by American Tennys Sandgren yesterday.
The 97th-ranked Sandgren downed ninth seeded Wawrinka 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 and will next play Germany’s Maximilian Marterer.
It has been tough so far this year for Wawrinka, who was playing in his first tournament since Wimbledon six months ago following surgery on his left knee.
“Today was extremely tough to feel that way on the court, to lose that way, even if he was playing well,” Wawrinka said.
“When you have won three grand slams, you don’t feel great on the court like today.
“But I need to be still positive. I think the past 12 days was more than what I could have dreamed for coming here.
“I really came without thinking I will be able to play the first match.
“That’s a big step for me. “I only had surgery five months and three days ago and to be that far already, it’s more than what we could have expected with my team.”
He was never in the contest and had his serve broken five times and made only 21 winners and 35 unforced errors.
Elsewhere, Melbourne’s searing summer heat took its toll on several players.
Caroline Garcia said her feet were on fire, and Dominic Thiem could not wait to get in an ice bath as the mercury touched 40°C.
And relief is not on the way as even higher temperatures are forecast for today.
Some players cope better than others in the furnace-like conditions, with third seed Garbine Muguruza one of those who suffered, crashing out in straight sets.
“I think the surface of the court, I don’t know how much heat, it’s terrible, very, very hot, and it’s easy to get blisters and red,” she said.
“I had a more tougher match under the heat in previous years at the Australian Open, but today was ... it was hot, but I don’t think was the hottest day.”
French eighth seed Garcia spent three gruelling sets in the sun against Marketa Vondrousova before limping to a 6-7, 6-2, 8-6 victory.
“It’s definitely hot,” she said afterwards.
“My feet are burning. But we know it’s like this in Australia – the next day it can be freezing.”
Players are urged to keep themselves hydrated and use ice wrapped in towels to cool off at changeovers in the draining weather.
Fifth seed Thiem took the advice to heart as he struggled through a energy-sapping five-setter against Denis Kudla.
“I’m off to have an ice bath,” was all he managed to say after the marathon match.