Tennis digest

Azarenka and musician are 'very happy right now'

Wild-haired LMFAO musician Redfoo refused to "kiss and tell" but hinted at a relationship with tennis star Victoria Azarenka after appearing in her supporters' enclosure at the Australian Open.

"I don't like to kiss and tell," Redfoo, real name Stefan Gordy said when asked about the world No 1 and defending champion.

"But we are really close, and she's a very special person and I'm very happy in my life right now."

Gordy was a constant presence at Azarenka's matches during the US Open last year. Only when they were spotted together during the offseason did it appear they had become better acquainted.

Date-Krumm racks up another age record

Age-defying Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm racked up another record Thursday by becoming the oldest player to make a Grand Slam third round since Renee Richards in 1979.

The 42-year-old defeated Israel's Shahar Peer 6-2, 7-5 with only Richards, age 45, getting as far at such at an age. If Date-Krumm wins her next match she will be the oldest ever to make the fourth round of a major tournament.

The new mark comes after the ageless Japanese became the oldest woman to win a main draw match at the Australian Open in her opening round clash against 12th seed Nadia Pedrova.

'Extremely hot' day scorches fans and players

Players draped themselves in ice-packs and fans sought shade Thursday as temperatures nudged 41 degrees C on a day of fierce heat at the Australian Open.

Cloud cover provided some respite at Melbourne Park but when the sun broke through, it was brutal, with many stars racing through their matches to get off court as quickly as possible.

Britain's Andy Murray, emerging on court around midday, whipped through his second-round encounter with Go Soeda in 1 hr, 41 min. Afterward, he headed straight for an ice bath.

"It wasn't that bad on the court," insisted the Scot, who did his offseason training in Miami. "When the sun came out it was extremely hot."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 01/18/2013 page22)