17th January, 2013
Four time champion and world number two Roger Federer advanced to the next round of the Auatralian Open, as he overcame Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko early today at the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
Federer defeated his Russian opponent in straight sets of 6-3, 6-4 and 6-4 to book a place in the third round against local hero Bernard Tomic on Saturday.
Also, Serena Williams’ biggest challenge so far in trying to secure a third consecutive major title and reclaim the world Number 1 ranking, has been staying out of her own way.
A rolled ankle suffered in a steamroller of an opener didn’t appear to trouble Serena in Thursday’s second-round Australian Open match against 6-foot-tall Garbine Muguruza of Spain, but the third-seeded US sensation, looked unhappy anyway during stretches of the 6-2, 6-0 win after accidentally swatting herself in the mouth with her own racket, splitting her upper lip.
“I think it happens to everyone, but I have never busted it wide open like that. So, yeah, I was like, ‘Oh, no. I can’t have a tooth fall out,” she said.
That would be horrible.’
“I don’t know why my racket was even in my face. I mean, it’s like I have been playing tennis far too long to hit myself. … I’m like, ‘Come on. Like, Serena, pull yourself together here,’ you know.’’
“I wouldn’t want to get hit in the mouth with her racket,’’ Shriver said.”It sounds like death.’’
In stifling 100-degree heat at Rod Laver Arena, the Venezuelan-born Muguruza struggled with her serve and could only watch at times as Williams pounced on her second delivery. But Muguruza hung in gamely through some lengthy service games, including the 18-minute-long one that started the second set.
“I actually thought she improved as the match went on,’’ Williams said.”She was blasting balls for winners and she has a pretty big serve.’’
Williams, a five-time champion in Melbourne aiming for her 16th Grand Slam event title, appeared increasingly mobile as the match progressed and cracked a 128-mph ace on match point.
She said her right ankle — twisted in the first set of her opening match — was still tender during an indoor hitting session Wednesday but “so far, so good. I felt pretty much better than I ever dreamed of expecting to feel.’’