Australian Open: Federer, Serena make progress

Serena Williams and Roger Federer made swift progress as the leading names were untroubled in the third day session of the Australian Open.

Women’s top seed, Williams beat Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei 6-1 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena before men’s second seed Federer saw off Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 7-5 6-1.

“Conditions are extremely quick, so you’re not going to find much rhythm,” he said. “I thought I served great.”

Japanese seventh seed Kei Nishikori was another early winner on day three as he beat American Austin Krajicek 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, and Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych beat Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mirza Basic 6-4 6-0 6-3.

Read also: Australian Open: Wozniachi, Erani out as Serena, Djokovic cruise on

Fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland went through safely with a 6-4 6-2 win over Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard.

Ukraine’s Kateryna Bondarenko caused an upset with a 6-1 7-5 win over Russian 23rd seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, winner of the Sydney title last week.

Australian Nick Kyrgios reached the third round with a 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-2) win over Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas.

“I’m really relieved to get through in three. The fans helped me deep in that third set, they really lifted me,” he said.

The 20-year-old learnt before his match that he had been fined $3,000 (£2,100) for uttering an obscenity in his first-round win over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

Had the incident happened at a regular ATP World Tour event, rather than a major, Kyrgios would be close to triggering a 28-day ban.

The 29th seed has a suspended ban after being sanctioned for making lewd remarks about Stan Wawrinka’s girlfriend in August at the Montreal Masters.

Meanwhile, World number 10 and seven-times Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams was given a $5,000 (£3,532) fine for failing to appear at a news conference on Tuesday.

The American, 35, did not fulfil her post-match media commitments after losing in straight sets to Britain’s Johanna Konta.

Asked whether her elder sister would return to Melbourne in 2017, defending champion, Serena Williams, said: “I would assume. She’s never mentioned anything about not being here.”

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