Rain suspends play on outside courts at Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) Rain stopped play at the Australian Open today.

While play on the outside courts was suspended because of torrential rain, there was only a short interruption on the main showcourts.

Defending women's champion Amelie Mauresmo was leading 1-0 in her second-round match against Russian teenager Olga Poutchkova when play was halted in Rod Laver Arena.

Marat Safin, men's champion in 2005, was trailing Israeli qualifier Dudi Sela by two sets to one when the players had to run off the Vodafone Arena court.

Both showcourts have retractable roofs and play resumed once these were closed.

REUTERS SAM ND1542