For Simona Halep and Aga Radwanska, however, it was as miserable as it could possibly be. The two players, seeded 6 and 2 respectively, had waited since Sunday with leads in matches against their fourth round opponents, but both saw those advantages washed away.
Aga led unseeded but highly capable Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 3-0, but proceeded to lose ten consecutive games, and was dumped from the tournament 2-6 6-3 6-3. I had tipped Aga to reach the final so another selection bit the dust, or more correctly the red mud.
Simona resumed her battle with Sam Stosur ahead 5-3 in Set One, but was taken apart by a resurgent Queenslander, who simply adapted to the heavy conditions magnificently, while Halep wanted to be elsewhere. Stosur broke back immediately and the Romanian to her credit fought hard to avoid a second straight break, forcing a tie break. Simona need not have bothered as she failed to win another point, and Sam was a set up 7-6.
Set two was dominated by Stosur, and the 6-3 scoreline could even be described as a little flattering to Halep.
The first quarter final in a major for four years for Sam, and without any warning she has the form and belief to do further damage, as she did when a finalist in 2010.
The horrible conditions provided the setting for poor performances by top seeds, Novak Djokovic another to struggle, dropping the opening set to Roberto Bautista Agut. He fought hard to level at a set apiece and then to lead 4-1 in the third before rain stopped play for the day.
Other matches yet to be completed at the end of Day 10 included Thiem v Granollers, currently at a set each, Ferrer leading Berdych 2-1, on serve, in Set One, and Gulbis leading Goffin 3-0 with a break in the opening set.
Several matches hadn't even started and more rain is forecast - there is little chance of the tournament finishing on the final scheduled Sunday.
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