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'Unbelievable': Fiery tennis player melts down in Sydney heat

Czech tennis player Barbora Strycova smashed her racquet and remonstrated with the umpire before storming off court at the Sydney International.

With temperatures soaring above 40 at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday, Strycova melted down as she allowed Caroline Wozniacki back into their second round match.

After taking the first set and leading 5-2 in the second, Strycova appeared to succumb to the heat as she allowed Wozniacki to storm back into the match by winning the second.

Strycova tries to cool herself down. Image: Getty

At the end of the set she angrily hit her racquet against her chair before engaging in a heated argument with the chair umpire.

Wozniacki with ice towels and fans. Image: Getty

She appeared to be arguing whether or not they should have been playing in the oppressive heat before the tournament director came on court to cool things down.

"Unbelievable!" she said before storming off to the locker room.

Under tournament heat rules, players are afforded a longer 10-minute break at the end of each set in which they are allowed to leave the court.

Strycova managed to get back on track and beat the former World No.1 7-5 6-7 6-4 in a three and a half hour marathon.

"No one deserved to lose that match," she said afterwards.

Watch the Sydney International and Kooyong Classic LIVE on the screens of Seven including the 7Tennis App and PLUS7.