TENNIS: Woz wilts in Sydney heat as Strycova prevails

Caroline Wozniacki’s eighth attempt at reaching the Sydney International semi-finals wilted in the stifling Australian heat yesterday with the former world number one going down to Barbora Strycova in a three-set slugfest.

Strycova prevailed 7-5 6-7(6) 6-4 over her 10th seeded Danish opponent in a three-hour and 20 minute marathon played out in temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

The 30-year-old Czech next meets second seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying 6-3 6-2 in the last quarter-final of the day at the Australian Open warmup event.