The second round was completed in almost unbearable heat, forcing a large proportion of both men and women to retire or withdraw from the tournament over the two days. Somehow, the top 10 players all managed to pull through!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Williams saved the only break point she faced in beating Serbia's Dolonc 61 62 to claim her 60th career match win at the Australian Open, equalling Margaret Court for the all time championship record. Despite the score, Dolonc certainly impressed with her compact, flat hitting but couldn't contend with Williams's hefty shot making (24 winners, 10 aces).
2/2 Azarenka avoided the heat of the day, playing indoors in the evening to beat Czech, Zahlavova Strycova 61 64. Azarenka led 61 3-1 but found herself pegged back by her tenacious opponent, who impressed not only with her sterling defence but her willingness to serve and volley, even behind her second serve!
4/4 Li took out yet another 16 year old, this time the 2013 junior French Open and Wimbledon champion, Bencic from Switzerland 60 76(5). As against Konjuh, Li was overpowering initially but Bencic, a more solid player than the Croat, rallied and twice lead by a break. However, 2 clean winners from 5-5 in the tiebreak saw experience beat youth...this time!
5/5 Radwanska had yet another sudden lapse but recovered to beat Belarusian, Govortsova 60 75. Played in relative luxury indoors, Radwanska was surprised by her opponents sudden aggression and trailed 1-4 in the second.
8/8 Jankovic was all business as she crushed Japan's Morita 62 60 later in the day.
9/9 Kerber put the horrors of the first round behind her as she handled Russian qualifier Kudryavtseva 64 62.
10/10 Wozniacki worked through a topsy-turvy match 60 16 62 against American, McHale to extend her perfect record of at least reaching the 3rd round here. McHale had beaten the Dane in 2 of their previous 3 meetings but Wozniacki couldn't miss in the first set. The reverse was true in the second, with McHale holding 2 break points with Wozniacki serving down 0-1 in the third. However, as she had done in the first, Wozniacki took the ball earlier and reversed the momentum. Later, she showed the crowd her dazzling 8 carat diamond engagement ring!
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