MELBOURNE, Jan 18 — Zeynep Sonmez earned a place in fans’ hearts as well as ‌the second round at the Australian Open on Sunday when the Turkish ‍qualifier rushed to the aid of a ball ‌girl who had fainted in the punishing Melbourne heat.

The world number 112 was locked in battle with 11th ‍seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and waiting to receive serve in the second set when the girl, who was positioned beside the chair umpire, suddenly wobbled and fell on her back.