PLAYERS were forced off court at the Australian Open as the weather caused havoc at Melbourne Park.
British star Cameron Norrie was among the stars to be forced back to the locker room due to a dramatic shower.
Norrie, 30, had been locked in a fourth set tiebreak against Emilio Nava when the match was delayed.
The Brit led the contest 6-1 7-6 4-6 and was potentially just three points from victory having gone 4-3 up in the tiebreak.
Commentating for TNT Sports, Barry Cowan joked: “As if this match needed more drama.
“Drama with my weather app, it’s the first time in two hours it’s said it isn’t raining, so that’s going in the bin.”
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Play was suspended across Melbourne Park at around 9pm local time due to dramatic rainfall.
Other matches to be interrupted included last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev‘s battle with Alexandre Muller, which was level at one-set all.
While Jasmine Paolini was 4-1 up against Magdalena Frech on Kia Arena.
Matches on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena were quickly able to resume under the roofs.
Home favourite Alex de Minaur was locked in a tussle with Hamad Medjedovic on Melbourne Park’s biggest court.
While American Frances Tiafoe battled Francisco Comesana over on Margaret Court.
Norrie and Co were back on court around an hour later when the weather cleared.
And it was a brief return, with the Brit winning three out of five points to take the tiebreak and the match.
Earlier in the day, Emma Raducanu was beaten 7-6 6-2 in the second round by Anastasia Potapova.
Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, defeated Yannick Hanfmann 7-6 6-3 6-2 to breeze into round three.
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