MELBOURNE, ‌Jan 18 (Reuters) - 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.