We’re having a Heatwave!
The Webster’s definition of HOT:
* Having or giving off heat; Being at a high temperature; Being at or exhibiting a temperature that is higher than normal or desirable; feeling uncomfortably overheated; Capable of burning;
All of the above definitions apply to the US Open in NYC Tuesday. According to weather.com the temperature on the grounds today was 95 degrees .However, the on-court thermometer in Arthur Ashe read 109 degrees (43 degrees Celsius) and there were reports that by mid-day it reached 110.
Fans abandoned seats on the east side and huddled in any small place seeking refuge from the blazing sun.
Wilted players struggled hoping to close out matches in the minimum amount of time, but often went the distance. Novak Djokovic went five sets in a three hour and 40 minute marathon against countryman and Davis Cup teamate Viktor Troicki. Marcos Baghdatis and Arnaud Clement went five sets in three hours and 23 minutes. Over on Grandstand, Mardy Fish played the shortest five-setter of the day, defeating Jan Hajek in two hours and 36 minutes. Fernando Verdasco and Fabio Fognini followed with a three hour and 36 minute five-setter.
Out on court 10, Paire of France outlasted the German Schuettler, in another three-hour and 32-minute five-setter. The marathon man David Nalbandian, who plays a lot of looooooonnnnnnggg matches sweated his way to victory over Rik De Voest in three hours, 59 minutes. Pere Riba and Adrian Mannarino, close out the list of 3-hour-plus matches.
The women who only have to play the best-of-three fared a bit better, with Shuai Peng winning the longest women’s match in two hours and 57 minutes.
How do they do it? How do they cope? Fish credits his new fit physique, “It’s hot. This is probably the hottest it’s gonna be here. I mean, I felt fresh. It’s a good feeling, you know, sort of to wear down a player and know that all the hard work that you put in just paid off right there.”
Djokovic had a different take on the sizzling temps. “Well, look, you know it was very hot. It was just very hot. The weather is the weather. You just have to try to be patient and wait for the shadows, like I did.”
Asked about finally getting some shade on the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the fifth set, Djokovic said: ‘Oh my God, it was a sleeping with my girlfriend kind of feeling!”
Personally, I hid from the sun under a large, stylish pink hat, and since I can’t possibly top that quote, I’ll close for today.
By Cynthia Lum
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