By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@AustralianOpen.
The organisers of the Australian Open have adjusted the schedule due to an anticipated heatwave during the quarter-finals, with temperatures expected to reach up to 46C in Melbourne.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heat warning across the state of Victoria.
Matches were suspended on Saturday as temperatures climbed towards 40C and the heat scale hit its maximum of five, with play halted on the outside courts for five hours and action on the show courts continuing indoors.
The scale measures four factors – radiant heat (or the strength of the sun), air temperature in the shade, relative humidity, and wind speed.
The four singles quarter-finals – which include world number ones Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka – and various doubles matches will take place on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, both of which have retractable roofs and air-conditioning systems which allow play to continue in cooler conditions.
When is the Australian Open? Dates and schedule
The 2026 Australian Open began on Jan. 18. The women’s final is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31 and the men’s final slated to take place on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Quarterfinals Men’s single
(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (6) Alex de Minaur
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. (25) Learner Tien
(4) Novak Djokovic vs. (5) Lorenzo Musetti
(8) Ben Shelton vs. (2) Jannik Sinner
Women’s single
(1) Aryna Sabalenka vs. (29) Iva Jovic
(3) Coco Gauff vs. (12) Elina Svitolina
(6) Jessica Pegula vs. (4) Amanda Anisimova
(5) Elena Rybakina vs. (2) Iga Swiatek.