Australian Open: Wins for Djokovic, Wawrinka and Williams sisters in Melbourne Top seed Novak Djokovic conceded only five games in an impressive second-round win over Andrey Kuznetsov at the Australian Open. The world No 1 had struggled with a virus in the days before the tournament, but appeared fit and focused as he inflicted a 6-0 6-1 6-4 thrashing on the Russian in Melbourne. During a dominant start, Djokovic reeled off the first nine games and Kuznetsov received sympathetic cheers as he registered his first game to momentarily halt the onslaught in the second set. The former Wimbledon boys’ champion did break Djokovic at the start of the third, but the Serb soon regained control and will await either Spaniard Fernando Verdasco or Japans Go Soeda in the third round. After my first-round match, I was hoping to have this kind of performance, especially the opening two sets, said Djokovic. Everything went as I planned and wished and hopefully I can stay on this path.” Did you know... Djokovic has dropped just two sets over the first and second rounds since 2007, claiming his first trophy at 2008, and has taken the silverware three years in succession from 2011. Wawrinka receives workout Stanislas Wawrinka: Defused a big server Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka was taken to two tie-break sets before he defeated qualifier Marius Copil. The Swiss fourth seed was forced to repel some ferocious serving from the Romanian, including the fastest recorded serve so far this year, but stood firm for a 7-6 7-6 6-3 win. Only four points separated the pair over the course of the match, which lasted two hours and 16 minutes and Wawrinka was satisfied with a decent workout. It was quite a tough match, said the fourth seed, who will face Jarkko Nieminen in the third round. Im happy to get through, especially in three sets. The conditions werent easy today. Quite hot. Really fast on the court and he was playing great. He was serving big, putting on lots of pressure. I wasnt playing my best tennis, but Im happy with the way I fought today and the way I did win the match.” Serena sparks to life Serena Williams: Overcame a sluggish start Top seed Serena Williams shook off a lacklustre start as she fought back for a second round win over Vera Zvonareva. The American vented her frustration while trailing in the opening set, but staged a swift recovery to claim a 7-5 6-0 win over the experienced Russian. Williams had brushed aside Zvonareva in the 2010 Wimbledon final, but surrendered two breaks and needed two aces to save set points before moving into a 1-0 lead. She then dominated the second set, swiftly wrapping up victory to secure a clash with Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in the next stage. She started out really well, she was really aggressive and I was a little too passive, said Williams, who is targeting a sixth title. Once I got down I thought Serena, youve done so well here youve got nothing to lose, just have fun and enjoy yourself - then I started to play a lot better. I had to kind of snap into that. I think in the beginning of the tournament every player feels a little sluggish; at least I do. Now Im feeling like Im starting to hopefully feel better. Sister success Venus Williams joined her sister Serena in the third round following a 6-2 6-3 win over fellow American Lauren Davis. The 34-year-old will next face Italys Camila Giorgi, but has not progressed past the third round of any slam since Wimbledon in 2011. Home support The Fanatics were giving their backing to Aussie players such as Casey Dellacqua and Lleyton Hewitt. Feeling the heat Adrian Mannarino was forced to retire from his second round clash with Feliciano Lopez due to heat exhaustion. The Frenchman opened up a two set lead, but failed to convert match point and wilted in sweltering conditions, withdrawing with the score at 6-7 6-7 7-6 4-0.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:35:36 +0000