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Daniil Medvedev has himself examined during his game
Photo: David Ramos / Getty Images
Tennis professional Daniil Medvedev won his round of 16 against Fabio Fognini from Italy, in the end it was 6: 2, 3: 6, 6: 2.
On the way to the quarter-finals, the Russian had to struggle with the climate in the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.
With a score of 5: 2 in the first set, Medvedev had to be treated.
"I had breathing problems from the very first sentence," said the 25-year-old.
“That's why I called the physio, my diaphragm felt blocked.
I found it hard to breathe. "
Medvedev continued to play, but did not make a good impression, especially in the second set, which he gave to Fognini.
Meanwhile, referee Carlos Ramos asked the world number two whether he was in a good shape to continue playing.
"I can finish the match, but I could die," Medvedev replied.
"Will you take responsibility if I die here?"
The Russian said that he had meanwhile gone black.
In the third set he looked fresher again, decided the game for himself and will now face the Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in the next round.
Heat stroke at Badosa
The performance in Tokyo ended less well for Paula Badosa.
In the quarter-finals against Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic, the Spaniard suffered heat stroke and had to give up.
After prolonged treatment, the 23-year-old left the court in a wheelchair.
“It's a shame that I have to give up so much.
It has been a tough task from day one.
We tried our best to adapt to the conditions, but my body couldn't withstand it, ”Badosa said after the game.
The Spaniard has had a difficult year.
In the run-up to the Australian Open, she was infected with the corona virus and was in isolation for a long time.
For her, the Olympic tournament is now over after she canceled the doubles with Pablo Carreño Busta.
Complaints persist
The complaints about the heat in Japan are not new.
Novak Djokovic had already complained about the fixings of the games after his opening match.
He couldn't explain why the games weren't taking place later in the day, after all, there was enough time in the afternoon and all the courts had lighting.
Despite the anger about the external conditions, the world number one plays sovereign in Tokyo.
The Serb made it to the quarter-finals without any problems, leaving the Spaniard David Davidovich Fokina no chance at 6: 3, 6: 1.
Alexander Zverev is also in the next round of the tournament, but the heat in Tokyo has left its mark on him.
The German won 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 5) against the Georgian Nikolos Bassilaschwili, but after a strong start he had to struggle with the climatic conditions noticeably towards the end of the game.
When the score was 5: 3, he missed three match points and conceded the first break, Bassilashvili suddenly played more courageously, fighting for his last chance.
But Zverev withstood the increasing pressure and heat and ended the long one-sided match after 1:38 hours of play.
On Thursday, Zverev will play against Jérémy Chardy in the quarter-finals.
Response of the World Tennis Federation
Instead of changing the agenda, as suggested by Djokovic, the world tennis association ITF reacted in Tokyo with the introduction of its "Extreme Weather Policy".
It had already been used at the Australian Open and the US Open.
The rule stipulates that there is an extended break of ten minutes between the second and third set.
Half a minute must be paused between games.
And if the temperatures exceed 30.1 degrees Celsius, games can be interrupted.
tip / Reuters