Nadal wins in New York

It was another scorcher at the Australian Open and for the second day in a row, a French player bore the worst of it then took aim at organizers.

After Gael Monfils suspected he sustained a heat stroke in Thursday's blazing conditions, Alize Cornet crumpled to the court Friday as temperatures peaked at 40.2 degrees Celsius in Melbourne.

A visibly distressed Cornet stayed down for a few moments in her third-round match against Elise Mertens on Hisense Arena before gingerly walking to her chair and receiving medical attention.

The world No. 42 -- who famously upset Serena Williams at Wimbledon four years ago -- was able to continue but lost to the Belgian 7-5 6-4.Afterward Cornet said the players were being sent to the "abattoir" by being asked to play in such weather. She echoed Novak Djokovic's sentiments, too, that the tournament's extreme heat rule needed a revamp.

Home hope Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov, Caroline Wozniacki and Elina Svitolina progressed to the last 16 but Jelena Ostapenko was upset, while Andreas Seppi and Kyle Edmund -- opponents in the next round -- defied the heat to win five setters.

"They sent us a little bit to the abattoir," Cornet told French media. "I get the impression that they are waiting for a drama to change the rule, a drama that can happen anytime in these conditions.

"Maybe there can be a coalition of players and we say we are boycotting, that we're not going (to play).

"We are not robots."

Tournament responds

The organizers didn't use the roof on any of the three courts where it was available, going against the suggestion of Rafael Nadal -- who crushed 28th seed Damir Dzumhur 6-1 6-3 6-1 and has yet to surrender a set -- two days ago.

They defended their stance in a statement issued following Cornet's ample criticism. Tournament referee Wayne McKewen said the heat rule was close to being implemented Friday but that the temperature subsequently dropped.

"Protecting our players and the fairness of the competition is paramount in these conditions, which we acknowledge can be challenging," tournament director Craig Tiley said in the statement, adding that all policies are reexamined on a regular basis.