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Australian Open Day 5 photos

Li Na in the shadows. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images) MELBOURNE, Australia -- Temperatures soared to 108 degrees on Day 5 of the Australian Open. But the
Australian Open Day 5 photos
Australian Open Day 5 photos

Li Na in the shadows. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Temperatures soared to 108 degrees on Day 5 of the Australian Open. But the oppressive heat finally broke in the afternoon, bringing ... rain.

Yes, after all the controversy surrounding the Australian Open's Extreme Heat Policy, Friday saw the first rain delay of the tournament, leading to roof closures on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena.

As for the action on the court: Serena Williams won her record 61st match at the Australian Open, Li Na saved a match point, Ana Ivanovic impressed with a big forehand, three-time defending men's champion Novak Djokovic continued to look sharp and the team of Gael Monfils and Dustin Brown entertained a sparse crowd (again, blame the heat) before losing in doubles.

Here are some of our favorite photos from Day 5.

Lucie Safarova: She came within inches of knocking out Li. Last year, she blew a 5-0 lead against Li in the third set at the Rogers Cup. Coffee is for closers. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Serena Williams: Temperatures hit 102 degrees during Serena's 6-3, 6-3 win over Daniela Hantuchova. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Serena Williams: Power on the stretch. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic: The reigning champion has yet to lose a set in three matches. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Daniela Hantuchova: Remember when Hantuchova was a semifinalist in 2008? Seems like ages ago. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Jerzy Janowicz: He tearfully bid goodbye with a straight-set loss to Florian Mayer. (William West/AFP/Getty Images)

Gael Monfils: Good to see Gael plays doubles the same way he plays singles. (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic: Has Ivanovic finally rediscovered the forehand that took her to No. 1 and the 2008 French Open title? If her 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-2 win over Sam Stosur is any indication, yes. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Richard Gasquet: Another fourth-round appearance at a major went just out of reach for Gasquet, who lost to Tommy Robredo 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 (6). (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Lauren Davis: The 20-year-old American was no match for the heat or Eugenie Bouchard, who won 6-2, 6-2. (Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic:


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Courtney Nguyen
COURTNEY NGUYEN

Contributor, SI.com Nguyen is a freelance writer for SI.com, providing full coverage of professional tennis both on and off the court. Her content has become a must-read for fans and insiders to stay up-to-date with a sport that rarely rests. She has appeared on radio and TV talk shows all over the world and is one of the co-hosts of No Challenges Remaining, a weekly podcast available on iTunes. Nguyen graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 1999 and received a law degree from the University of California, Davis in 2002. She lives in the Bay Area.