As mercury rises in Melbourne, Indian fans hopes diminished in the Australian Opens 2013 Tennis Championships. The last hopes of India Sania Mirza and Somdev crashed in different matches on Wednesday. However on Thursday (January 17) mercury reached as high as 39 degrees Celsius  and officials warned fans to stay in shady cool places and sip liquids to avoid dehydration.

Somdev was beaten by his Polish opponent Jerzy Janowicz for 6-7, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 & 7-5, in the second round, of the singles for men. Somdev fought for nearly four hours or more to overcome his opponent which ended as a vain bid.

On the other hand, India's ace player Sania Mirza with her partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands from the USA lost to their opponents Spaniards Silvia Soler Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro. In the women's doubles event the Indo-American pair lost in 6-7 (4-7) and 3-6. The lost pair could not utilize the advantages to their favor while the opponents were well versed in it. (Wishesh AarKay)