In the heart of the Australian Open, the last local contender in the women’s bracket is poised to give her all under the sweltering Melbourne sun, aiming for yet another triumphant match amid the intense heatwave.

Western Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis is preparing to fully engage when she enters the spotlight at Rod Laver Arena this Saturday night to challenge Naomi Osaka, whose recent appearances have captured attention more for her style than her gameplay.

With temperatures soaring, organizers and athletes are facing obstacles, prompting an earlier start to the day’s matches and potential pauses in practice sessions as forecasts predict highs of 40 degrees Celsius.

For Inglis, the conditions will be grueling, having already logged 13 hours and 24 minutes across her singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.

Nevertheless, the 28-year-old, who has reached the third round for the second time in her career, is relishing each moment of her remarkable journey.

Naomi Osaka turns heads with her on-court fashion Source: AAP / Dita Alangkara

“I know it will be a tough match,” said Inglis, the world No.168, who would shoot up the rankings by more than 50 places should she beat four-time grand slam champ Osaka.

“But right now I’m going to soak it all in. You’re not in the third round of a grand slam every day.”

Gates open at Melbourne Park at 9am, while play has shifted forward to 10.30am, as tournament organisers make moves to ensure the safety of players and off-court staff.

Extreme heat

“We expect pleasant conditions tomorrow morning, in the mid-20s, and will start play earlier and take advantage of the more temperate conditions,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said.

The tournament implemented an extreme heat protocol using a “heat stress” scale in 2019, which factors in air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed to generate a reading between one and five.

If the scale hits five, play is suspended on outdoor courts, while the roofs are closed on the Rod Laver, John Cain and Margaret Court arenas.

A 10-minute cooling break will be allowed between the second and third sets for women’s matches, and between the third and fourth sets for men’s singles, while the ballkids will work on a 45-minute shift rotation, instead of an hour.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will be grateful to avoid Saturday’s extreme heat, but could face scorching conditions on Tuesday if she can get past rising star Victoria Mboko in their fourth round clash on Sunday.

The two-time Open champion is thankful for the heat policy.

“I think it’s too much on our bodies,” Sabalenka said.

“The weather is being crazy. It’s a lot of adjustment on the strings, your approach to the match.

“It depends on the weather because it’s going like a rollercoaster.”

The heat could also impact the practice schedule for world No.12 Daniil Medvedev, who is locked into another battle with Learner Tien on Sunday.

“I will practice in the heat. Then worst case, if it’s too hot, we can always go indoors. I would prefer outdoors,” the three-time Australian Open finalist said.

“We try outdoors, see how it goes. Of course, not easy for the guys to play.

“That’s what happens in Australia.”

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