The Australian Open is once again battling an opponent bigger than any player on the draw sheet: extreme heat. With temperatures soaring past dangerous levels, tournament organizers have stepped in with urgent changes to protect players as Melbourne’s summer turns courts into furnaces.

Djokovic, meanwhile, is through to the third round after comfortable wins over Spaniard Pedro Martinez and Italian qualifier Francesco ​Maestrelli in his opening two matches at Melbourne Park. The 38-year-old will play Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the night session at Rod Laver.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic can still crack a joke when discussing the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry that for two years has prevented him from becoming the most decorated tennis player ever.

Iva Jovic is enjoying a dream run at the Australian Open, next taking on top 10 player Jasmine Paolini. American sensation Jovic has already knocked her compatriot Katie Volynets and Priscilla Hon out of the Grand Slam.

The Australian Open is heating up with Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff among the stars in action on day six

It should be an entertaining seventh day at the Australian Open with eight intriguing third-round matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate,

Their rivalry is currently tied at 1-1. Djokovic won their first meeting en route to the title in Astana in 2022, while van de Zandschulp returned the favor at Indian Wells last year. However, the Australian Open is the Serb's turf, having won 10 titles over the years. It won't be that easy to one-up him here.

Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are some of the prominent names in action in the third round on the seventh day in Melbourne.

Novak Djokovic joins alongside Roger Federer to win 100 or more singles matches at the Australian Open in the open era.