Novak Djokovic continued his impressive progress at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Denis Istomin.
The Serb, who has won the past three titles in Melbourne, won 6-3 6-3 7-5 and plays Fabio Fognini in round four. Serena Williams won a tournament-record 61st singles match by beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-3 in round three. Ana Ivanovic, who beat Australia’s Sam Stosur 6-7 (8-10) 6-4 6-2, is
next for top seed Williams, while China’s Li Na beat Lucie Safarova 1-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3. Third seed David Ferrer beat 29th seed Jeremy Chardy in straight sets and 15th-ranked Fognini saw off the challenge of Sam Querrey 7-5 6-4 6-4. Spain’s Tommy Robredo, the number 17 seed, beat France’s ninth seed
Richard Gasquet 2-6 7-5 6-4 7-6 (8-6). The conditions continued to be an issue for players, with the temperature reaching a high of 41.4C a day after matches were suspended on Thursday because of 43.3C heat, Rod Laver Arena S Williams (US) [1] beat Hantuchova (Svk) [31] 6-3 6-3 Five-time champion Williams was not at her best and appeared to be struggling with the heat, though she still proved too strong for Hantuchova. The world number one raced into a 5-3 lead but had to save two break points to hold serve before clinching the first set. Williams, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament, broke early in the second but her opponent was in battling mood and responded to level at 3-3. Hantuchova’s hopes were short-lived, however, as Williams seized the initiative in the Slovakian’s next service game and served out for the victory, sealing it with a powerful forehand winner on her fourth match point. “It was a tough match,” said Williams. “Daniela is a great opponent so I’m really happy to come out with the win. It was hot but you have to play, you have to be ready and prepare yourself mentally. I’m excited to get through.” Serena and sister Venus Williams later withdrew from the doubles shortly before their first-round match because of an injury to Venus’s left leg. Ferrer (Spa) (3] beat Chardy (Fra) [29] 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-2
Ferrer reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 15th consecutive time as he eased past Chardy. After the Spaniard won the opening set in straightforward fashion, Chardy put up a stronger challenge in the second but was unable to convert any of his five set points, allowing Ferrer to take it on a tie-break. That proved the decisive moment in the match, as Ferrer completed the victory to set up a meeting with Germany’s Florian Mayer for a place in the quarter-finals. “The key was when I won the second set,” Ferrer said. “At 4-3 in the second set I made a lot of mistakes. I had set points down and after winning the second set I played more relaxed. Maybe it was my best match this week.” – BBC Sport
