Two-time Grand Slam tournament winner Simona Halep was eliminated from the Australian Open of tennis professionals.
At temperatures of more than 30 degrees, the Romanian finalist from 2018 lost 4: 6, 6: 3, 4: 6 to unseeded French player Alizé Cornet in Melbourne on Monday.
Halep said goodbye as the next prominent tennis player from the tableau of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season.
Cornet had already defeated the world number three Garbiñe Muguruza from Spain in the second round.
Halep could see the hardships in the heat.
Again and again, the 30-year-old Romanian supported herself on her racket between rallies or did not walk properly to some balls.
During the breaks on the bench, both players tried to cool down with ice packs or towels.
In her first Grand Slam quarterfinals, Cornet now meets Danielle Collins, who is 27th.
Collins defeated Belgium's Elise Mertens 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The world number 30 is the third American after Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys.
thus in the top eight at the Australian Open.
The three German participants Angelique Kerber, Andrea Petkovic and Tatjana Maria were eliminated in the first round.