China’s Dismal Weather Disrupts Tennis and Rowing

The Beijing Olympic schedule was disrupted over the weekend due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with a number of West Australian athletes affected.

In tennis, ten matches were suspended and 26 postponed due to the down pour, leaving only nine matches that survived the dismal weather. WAIS individual scholarship holder, Casey Dellacqua didn’t make her expected Olympic debut on Sunday, as the first round of the women’s doubles was postponed. Dellacqua is scheduled to play Gisela Dulko from Argentina in the first round of the women’s singles tonight (Monday), with her doubles match yet to be re-scheduled.

Rowing events were also interrupted by the down pour, with yesterday’s heats of the men’s and women’s eights postponed until today. WAIS athlete Natalie Bale will be affected by the rescheduling, as will as former WAIS athlete Sarah Tait, who are both members of the Australian women’s eight team. Their male colleagues in the eight, featuring WA’s David Dennis and Jeremy Stevenson, also had their heats postponed.

However, the weather did not delay the women’s quadruple sculls, where Australia placed fourth in the second heat. The team, which includes WAIS athlete Amber Bradley, will have another chance at the final in the repechage round scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).