Top seeds Roger Federer and Serena Williams lived up to their star billing Tuesday as they charged into the Australian Open second round.
Top seeds Roger Federer and Serena Williams lived up to their star billing Tuesday as they charged into the Australian Open second round.
The Swiss world number one swept home after a sluggish start to eliminate Russian Igor Andreev in four sets while Williams wasted little energy in demolishing Pole Urszula Radwanska 6-2, 6-1.
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Federer was joined in the next round by in-form Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who laid down the gauntlet by saying the Federer/Nadal dominance was over, and 10th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
But eighth ranked Swede Robin Soderling was sent packing, the highest seed to be eliminated so far.
On the women's side, Williams was joined by eighth seed Jelena Jankovic and fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic.
Federer said it was a good first round test.
"Tough match, I knew from the start it was not going be an easy one," said the 15-time Grand Slam winner after winning 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-0.
"A few hiccups, but I think those are more due to his good play and because of also playing against the wind. So it was a good first round for me."
Williams, who is searching for her 12th Grand Slam singles title to join Billie Jean King as one of the all-time greats, was in fine form despite having her right thigh heavily strapped.
"Just supportive and preventive," she said, referring to her hamstring.
Williams, a four-time champion in Melbourne, broke Radwanska twice in the first set and three times in the second on her way to a comfortable victory.
"The scoreline seemed to be easy, but it was a long match out there," said the American.
"Well, not long, but it was tough points. So I was just happy to get it over with."
On a blustery but dry day, with organisers trying to clear a backlog of matches unable to finish due to rain on Monday, Jankovic also progressed with an easy 6-6, 6-0 win over Romania's Monica Niculescu.
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