Overnight in Oz - Roger Federer in imperious form, Angelique Kerber struggles through
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Updated 18/01/2017 at 09:05 GMT
Everything you need to know from the overnight action from Melbourne Park with Roger Federer in fine form, while defending champion Angelique Kerber struggled.
Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates after winning his second round match against Noah Rubin
Image credit: Reuters
Federer sealed his place in the third round with a comfortable win over 20-year-old American Noah Rubin, who was simply unable to live with the class and guile of the Swiss maestro.
After six months out of the game, Federer looked refreshed and hungry once more as he cruised through the opening two sets before battling through the third against the world number 200, who performed much better than his ranking suggests.
After contending from a highly awkward exchange before the match had even begun with the umpire making the poor mascot 'choose his favourite player', Federer was in serene form throughout...
The backhand winner he produced to break serve in the second set was classic Federer and the kind of shot that left everyone wondering just how far he could possibly go in this year's tournament...
As for Kerber, it was much harder going.
The defending champion really struggled in her match against compatriot Carina Witthoeft, losing concentration and confidence at times in crucial moments, including a bizarre shot straight to her opponent despite her having given the point up for dead...
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Very bizarre point sees Kerber avoid open court
The German, who famously jumped in the Yarra River after winning the title last year, did at least produce enough moments of guts and class to come through the encounter, particularly one astonishing recovery to win an epic point...
Oh, and her day got even better after sealing victory as interviewer Sam Smith led the crowd in singing her 'Happy Birthday'...
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Kerber delighted as crowd sing her a 'Happy Birthday'
Monday's highlights
- Angelique Kerber celebrates her 29th birthday with a shaky 6-2 6-7(3) 6-2 win over Carina Witthoeft. REPORT
- Kei Nishikori takes advantage of Jeremy Chardy's inconsistent service game to advance with a 6-3 6-4 6-3 win. REPORT
- Venus Williams continues her very fine form with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Switzerland's Stefanie Vogele.
- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga secures his place in the third round with a straight-sets victory over Dusan Lajovic of Serbia.
- Svetlana Kuznetsova loses just three games in thrashing Jaimee Fourlis to reach the third round.
- Stanislas Wawrinka continues his strong form by beating Steve Johnson 6-3 6-4 6-4 to progress.
- Roger Federer continues his progress with a straightforward 7-5 6-3 7-6 victory over Noah Rubin of the USA. REPORT
Britwatch
All eyes will be on Andy Murray, who takes on 19-year-old starlet Andrey Rublev of Russia in their second-round clash, which is the final evening match on the Rod Laver Arena.
British Davis Cup fans will be delighted to see that Murray's team-mate Dom Inglot was part of a winning partnership in the doubles as he and Florin Mergea of Romania clinched a 6-2 7-5 win to advance through to the second round.
Stat of the day
Venus Williams has been in sparkling form so far this year at Melbourne and she has an exciting potential run through the draw ahead of her if she can sustain it...
Her post-match interview was again superb...
Respect
The last thing you expect when playing professional tennis is to be struck by your doubles partner while crouching down at the net, but that's exactly what happened to poor Radek Stepanek.
The veteran Czech's partner, Vasek Pospisil, whacked a serve straight at his arm, leaving him to receive treatment. Credit must go to Stepanek who continued in obvious pain, only for him and Pospisil to lose 6-2 6-4 to Australian duo Matthew Barton and Matthew Ebden.
Still, Radek did at least manage to get Nick Kyrgios's autograph!
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