Australian Open 2023: Melbourne heat and rain stops play on outdoor courts

Fans stood under cooling mist fans at Melbourne Park to beat the heat

Play on the outside courts at the Australian Open was interrupted by extreme heat and then rain on the second day in Melbourne.

With temperatures above 35C, matches were stopped at 14:15 local time.

They resumed after a three-hour break, allowing several matches to be completed, but rain later in the evening further held up play.

Andy Murray's match against Matteo Berrettini was allowed to start under the roof on Rod Laver Arena.

Matches on Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena - which both have a roof - were also allowed to continue.

Play stopped outside when the Australian Open heat stress scale - which takes into account the strength of the sun, air temperature in the shade, relative humidity, and wind speed - reached its highest level of five.

The extreme heat policy had earlier come into effect when the scale hit four, allowing singles players to take a 10-minute break during the match and have a shower or use cooling rooms.

Britain's Dan Evans was involved in one of the matches that was delayed by the heat, leading two sets to one against Argentina's Facunado Bagnis.

Evans, like many of the players who were involved in the earlier matches, used an ice pack on his head during changeovers.

He returned to court later to register a 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4 win.

Seventeen of Tuesday's scheduled matches were either unfinished or did not start, meaning Wednesday will be a packed schedule and more rain is forecast.

Further rain is forecast in Melbourne on Wednesday

Estonian 16th seed Anett Kontaveit had only played two games against Austria's Julia Grabner when the pair had to leave the court

• Live scores, results and order of play

• Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone

• The Lyell team cross paths with the mafia: Silent Witness is back with a brand-new series

• Relive England's incredible Euro 2022 triumph: Key moments on the pitch, candid interviews with the players and unique behind-the-scenes insight