DEFENDING CHAMPION NOVAK Djokovic took little over 100 minutes to dispatch Colombian, Santiago Giraldo, in straight sets as he sets his eyes on a third consecutive Grand Slam.
The Serb was evidently none-too concerned by the challenge as he spoke to the Telegraph, after the 6-3,-6-2, 6-1 win, about how much he enjoys playing on the Rod Laver Arena.
“It is true from one side that when I step in there I feel that I belong there, that I know what to do, that I feel more confident maybe than the other courts around the world.”
Djokovic will now face Nicolas Mahut as the competition heats up in round three. The Frenchman came from a set down – through a second set tie-break – to beat Japan’s, Tatsumo Ito.
Other Frenchman advancing were, sixth seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils. But there was no such joy for Edouard Roger-Vasselin who put up little fight as Andy Murray strode to a straight sets (6-1, 6-4, 6-4) victory. Murray will go on to face another unseeded Frenchman, Michael Llodra, in round three.
The surprise of the day, came late as Lleyton Hewitt continues to use home court advantage to give him the edge. Andy Roddick won the first set 6-3 but sustained a hamstring injury along the way. Hewitt, a wild-card entry, gratefully gobbled up the next two sets before, 15th seeded, Roddick conceded defeat after a lengthy consultation with his trainer. Hewitt’s progression is great news for continued Australian interest in the event, he plays Canadian, Milos Raonic in round three.
Women’s draw
Over in the women’s competition it was largely a similar story. The biggest shock was unseeded american, Vania King, coming from a set down to defeat world number 15, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
And, as it turns out, King is girl of many talents as you can see in her post match interview /audition here.
YouTube credit: BOS000001
Second seed Petra Kvitova needed all three sets to see off Carla Suarez Navarro (6-2, 2- 6, 6-4) but, aside from that there were only comfortable two-set wins for big names: Serena Williams (6-0, 6-4) Maria Sharapova (6-0, 6-1) Marion Bartoli (6-3, 6-2) and Ana Ivanovic (6-2, 6-3).
Click here for the full list of results from the Women’s singles draw. And here for the men.
