Australian Open: Prinosil suffers in Melbourne heat

German David Prinosil was saved from possible collapse by a doctor called to his match with Andre Agassi at the Australian Open.

Prinosil, suffering in 100-degree heat, trailed 6-7 0-5 when he was examined and found to be suffering from a dangerously high pulse rate.

The 27-year-old, who had lost six set points in the first set tie-break, was advised to retire and immediately conceded defeat.

Agassi, through to the fourth round, said: "You don't want anybody to get themselves in any kind of physical danger.

"The fact that he was close enough to stop is disconcerting for everyone.

"The first signs to me were his shot selection in the second set. He started going for shots that really weren't there.

"I wasn't ever under the impression that it was getting away from him. I just thought he was starting to feel it a little bit."

Temperatures are forecast to go even higher this weekend, but the two main courts at Melbourne Park both have sliding roofs which can be brought into operation.