Wozniacki advances, Fish shocked in Australian Open (Roundup)
January 18th, 2012 - 10:39 pm ICT by IANS
Melbourne, Jan 18 (IANS) Eighth-seeded American Mardy Fish became the biggest casualty in the men’s singles draw while World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki overcame some nervous moments before joining fellow title contenders, Kim Clijsters and Li Na in the third round of women’s single of the Australian Open here Wednesday.
Fish lost to Colombian Alejandro Falla 6-7(4-7), 3-6, 6-7(6-8). The eighth seed lost two tie-breakers to make a disappointing straight-sets exit, which marked the third straight year that he failed to advance beyond the second round in Melbourne.
World No.2 Rafael Nadal hardly had to sweat as he thrashed German veteran Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The Spaniard made 17 unforced errors to 38 of his opponent and finished the match in two hours and 29 minutes.
World No.3 Roger Federer of Switzerland advanced after his second-round opponent, German Andreas Beck, withdrew with a lower back injury.
China’s Li Na charged into the third round of the women’s section with a 6-2, 6-2 win over local player Olivia Rogowska at the Rod Laver Arena. Li, who lost last year’s Australian Open final to Kim Clijsters, steamrolled the 20-year-old Australian in 62 minutes with some power hitting from the baseline.
However, Li’s countrywomen Peng Shuai, the 16th seed, became a second-round casualty when she was upset in straight sets by Iveta Benesova from Czech Republic, 2-6, 4-6.
Italian 10th seed Francesca Schiavone also fell in her first loss to compatriot Romina Oprandi, who reached her maiden Open second round with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Clijsters and Wozniacki of Denmark, too, had little trouble making it to the third round. The Belgian beat France’s Stephanie Foretz Gacon 6-0, 6-1, and the Dane got past Georgian Anna Tatishvili 6-1, 7-6.
Seventh seed Czech Tomas Berdych faced limited difficulties in dumping the 54th ranked Belgian Olivier Rochus. The world number seven needed just one hour and 54 minutes to wrap up victory in straight sets 6-1, 6-0, 7-6(7-4).
Australia’s rising star Bernard Tomic started out slowly against the power serve of Sam Querrey, but diligently worked to put the American on the sidelines with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3 win.
- Australian Open: Fish biggest casualty in second round - Jan 18, 2012
- Australian Open: Nadal overcomes Berdych, to meet Federer in semis (Roundup) - Jan 24, 2012
- Federer, Nadal in Australian Open quarters (Roundup) - Jan 22, 2012
- Top seeds have comfortable outing in Australian Open - Jan 20, 2012
- Australian Open: Top seeds advance to second round (Roundup) - Jan 16, 2012
- Australian Open: Federer, Nadal cruise into quarters - Jan 22, 2012
- Australian open: Wozniacki loses to Clijsters, surrenders World No.1 spot - Jan 24, 2012
- Stosur breaks Australia's heart (Roundup) - Jan 17, 2012
- Stosur, Clijsters sail into round three of Australian Open - Jan 20, 2011
- Clijsters upsets Ivanovic at Olympics - Aug 01, 2012
- US Open, Day 2: Wozniacki out, Djokovic in second round (Roundup) - Aug 29, 2012
- Australian Open: Djokovic marches on; Roddick retires (Roundup) - Jan 19, 2012
- Australian Open: Azarenka eases into second round, Tomic beats Verdasco - Jan 16, 2012
- Zvonareva, Clijsters sail into Australian Open semi-finals - Jan 26, 2011
- Nadal, Li advance to 4th round at French Open - Jun 03, 2012
Tags: alejandro falla, andreas beck, anna tatishvili, eighth seed, francesca schiavone, gacon, iveta benesova, kim clijsters, lower back injury, mardy fish, nervous moments, olivier rochus, oprandi, rod laver arena, roger federer, stephanie foretz, tie breakers, title contenders, tomas berdych, tommy haas