Azarenka collapses in heat at US Open

Victoria Azarenka's US Open took an unfortunate and dramatic turn when the Belarusian collapsed and was helped off the court in a wheelchair during her second round match against Gisela Dulko on Wednesday.

1 September 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

Azarenka looked out of sorts from the first point of the match, which she double-faulted, and quickly fell to an 0-4 deficit. On the first changeover she summoned a trainer who appeared to test her for signs of dizziness and exhaustion, but did not request a medical timeout.

The No. 10 seed continued to falter, however, winning just one game and swiping in vain at a particularly awkward service toss which she lost in the sun. Then, serving at 1-5, 15-30 Azarenka suddenly crumpled to the ground behind the baseline and appeared to fall unconscious. Medics, ballboys, and Dulko immediately rushed over with towels, ice, and water.

It's not the first time that Azarenka has been forced to retire during a Grand Slam. In her fourth round match at the 2009 Australian Open, the 21-year-old took a set off of Serena Williams before retiring from dizziness and illness.

This is the third consecutive day that temperatures in Flushing Meadows have hovered in the mid-90s.

Dulko will meet No. 20 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round.

Source: usopen.org