Australian Open heats up for Serena Williams, Kuznetsova

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MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Australian Open has invoked its ‘extreme heat’ policy. As soon as the first set of the Serena Williams-Svetlana Kuznetsova semifinal ends, the roof on Rod Laver Arena court will be closed, a process that takes 12 to 14 minutes.

Also, for an undetermined period, no new matches will begin on other courts that don’t have roofs. Temperatures are about 104 degrees around the city and approaching 120 degrees on the court.

Kuznetsova is trying to serve out the first set for the second time against Williams.

-- Diane Pucin