''I'm looking forward to it, I want it to be as hot as possible tomorrow,'' he said.

''I don't want them to put the heat rule on. I want it to be as hot as possible. I've had a really good off season and I want to see where I'm at. I definitely can handle it. I want it to reach record temperatures.

''It was hot over in Perth as well, so [Bernard] will be used to it as well. I just really want to test myself ahead of the Australian Open. I hope it reaches 50 degrees.''

Under the Women's Tennis Association's extreme weather condition rule, a 10-minute break is allowed between the second and third set once the heat stress index reaches 30.1 degrees or the ground temperature hits 34 degrees, if it is requested by one of the players in a match. However there is no such precaution for the men, whose welfare is in the hands of officials.

Tournament officials said on Monday night they would monitor conditions closely throughout the day. ''Should weather factors such as temperature, humidity, wind or precipitation threaten to adversely affect the tournament, organisers may introduce a mitigation strategy that could include adjustments to the match play program,'' they said.