Nine players have withdrawn from the Australian Open through the first two days due to injury, including No. 12 Tommy Haas, No. 13 John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber. Thats five more players in two days than the entire 2013 U.S. Open in September of last year. While the final Grand Slam at the end of a gruelling season might be expected to have more impact on the health of players, the Australian Open is taking out competitors at an alarming rate to kick off the 2014 schedule. And although none of the nine players officially retired due to the roaring heat in Melbourne, one would think its played a part. Heat has always been an issue for this event but it seems to be getting worse. What should be done to make things better for the players? The average temperature in Melbourne in January - the first month of summer Down Under - is 25.9 C. The average temperature for the opening two days of the seasons first Grand Slam was 36 C. Despite any match-ending issues related to the heat, there is no shortage of players - and a ball boy - struggling to maintain their composure under the sun. But tournament organizers have not suspended any matches as yet. "I think its inhumane, I dont think its fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to the sport, when you see players pulling out of matches, passing out," Canadian Frank Dancevic told reporters after his first-round loss in which he collapsed on the sideline during the second set. "Ive played five set matches all my life and being out there for a set and a half and passing out with heat stroke, its not normal." The tournament has contingencies in place to deal with the heat, which was put into effect Tuesday by granting womens matches an extra 10-minute break between the second and third sets. Stopping a match, however, is at the discretion of tournament director Wayne McKewen as part of a new rule instituted this year. "We have to reach a minimum threshold and have a forecast that it will be sustained for a reasonable time," McKewen said in a statement. "That didnt happen. While conditions were hot and uncomfortable, the relatively low level of humidity ensured play would continue." Organizers use the Wet Bulb Global Temperature composite, which factors in humidity and wind in an attempt to assess the conditions more accurately. On Tuesday, temperatures were expected to reach as high as 42 C. Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena are the only two venues with retractable roofs and air conditioning, but have yet to be utilized. All other courts remain at the mercy of the heat and the forecast is calling for high 30s on Wednesday and low 40s for Thursday and Friday. Two-time defending champion Victoria Azarenka said the court at Rod Laver was "like youre dancing in a frying pan." Is it time for organizers to provide more cooling options, including stopping matches before its too late? Could the tournament begin earlier or later and still comfortably sit between the U.S. Open in September and the French Open in May? What more can be done to combat the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions at the Australian Open? As always, its Your! Call. College Jerseys From China . The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fourth place with two games to play in the Premier League, a position which would qualify the club for Europes top competition for the 17th straight year. College Jerseys Outlet . Pace had a career-high 10 sacks for Rex Ryans defence-- second only to Muhammad Wilkersons 10 1/2 -- in his sixth season with the Jets. The 33-year-old outside linebacker was an unrestricted free agent. http://www.cheapcustomjerseyscollege.com/ . -- Two out of three aint bad. College Football Jerseys . - Rookie Kyle Larson will start from the pole position Saturday night in the NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway after a thunderstorm arrived just in time to wash out qualifying. Cheap College Jerseys Free Shipping . The Kings paraded the Stanley Cup through downtown Los Angeles on Monday to celebrate their second NHL title in three seasons.INDIANAPOLIS -- After a 25-day search, the Cleveland Browns hired Mike Pettine as their new head coach last month. But the drama wasnt done. Less than three weeks after Pettine took the job, the Browns announced the dismissal of chief executive officer Joe Banner and general manager Michael Lombardi, Banner after a transition and Lombardi immediately. Then there was the report -- posted by the Pro Football Talk website Friday -- that before hiring Pettine the Browns tried to trade for Jim Harbaugh with San Francisco. Pettine? He just shrugged it off, which is probably the kind of attitude a guy who has become Clevelands seventh coach since 1999 has to have. "I got a phone call saying that report was going to come out, and I shot the messenger a little. I asked, How does that affect my tenure as the head coach? I think my next sentence used the word flying followed by something or referenced a part of a rats body," Pettine said Saturday at the NFL scouting combine. "I think thats noise. It has no bearing on my job moving forward." The report said the Browns and 49ers had a deal in place but Harbaugh decided to stay put. Via Twitter, 49ers CEO Jed York denied that waas true.dddddddddddd The Browns issued this statement: "The team conducted an extensive coaching search and explored several options. That search produced an outstanding head coach in Mike Pettine, and were excited about his future with the club." Pettine said the lack of denial by the Browns didnt bother him, either. "I think it shows the organizations committed to getting it turned around, that it would investigate that option," Pettine said. "I see that as a positive." Pettine said he has no regrets about leaving his post as Buffalos defensive co-ordinator to take the job with the Browns. "No, because thats negative. To me, this is a dream come true. I pinch myself every day. I wake up in the morning and I say, Im head coach of the Cleveland Browns. I cant wait to get to work," Pettine said. "Theres so much negative, I think you can get overwhelmed by it. I dont see it that way. I know that Im very blessed to be here." Harbaugh has led the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games, but they lost their only Super Bowl appearance with him. He just completed his third season of a $25 million, five-year contract. ' ' '