NOTEBOOK: Mother Nature gate-crashes Melbourne night tennis

Jan 24, 2012, 1:22 GMT

Melbourne - Hungry seagulls eager for a feeding frenzy provided an unscheduled diversion at the Australian Open Monday night as they circled the showcase court during play, waiting to swoop down later for a buffet of tasty insects.

Mother Nature's own little drama was played out as Novak Djokovic beat Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round.

A local scientist explained to Melbourne's Herald-Sun that the moths and crickets who live around the grounds are drawn to the lights at night. Their presence makes the area a happy hunting ground for hungry birds in the never-ending cycle of nature.

Flocks of the gulls could be seen in the night sky circling the open roof of the arena, but none had the nerve to duck in for a bite. They would more normally dive bomb when the lights went out for the night to partake of a post-midnight dinner

Meanwhile, one court, ballkids and players as were kept busy between points, swatting, capturing or squashing the insects.

Deposed five-time champion Serena Williams won't have to worry about the creepie-crawlies after exiting in the fourth round.

The American said last week that the flying creatures put her off her game, adding that he hated bugs anyway. That won't be a problem any more as she's now headed home.

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NOTEBOOK: Djokovic says Spaniard Ferrer also part of the elites =

Melbourne (dpa) - Number one Novak Djokovic wants to give props to unsung tennis hero David Ferrer, the world number five and odd man out, standing just behind the top four in the game.

The Spaniard did more than make up the numbers as he won into the Australian Open quarter-finals just like the big boys, marking the first time all five men's seeds have gone this far in Melbourne.

But with Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray consistently grabbing most of the headlines, Djokovic said that the retrieving Spaniard should not be forgotten.

'People mostly talk about the top four because the top four have been the most dominant in the tennis the last couple of years,' said the Serb, 'But in my eyes David Ferrer and every player, especially the ones from the top, are great competitors and I have lots of respect towards them.

'I think sometimes they're underrated, especially Ferrer, who has been so consistent. He's been a top five player for a long time.'

The Spaniard reached the Melbourne quarter-finals a year ago, beating Nadal in the quarter-finals along the way. He owns a dozen ATP titles, the last achieved this month in Auckland and faced Murray in the finals of Shanghai in the autumn.