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Federer, Djokovic cruise to third round

Davis Van Opdorp / (AFP, AP)January 20, 2016

After two big upsets yesterday, the top seeds from both genders coasted to the third round of the Australian Open. Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, and Gabrine Muguruza will try to keep up in their matches Thursday.

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Australien Tennisspieler Novak Djokovic bei den Australian Open in Melbourne
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Castropicture-alliance/dpa/J. Castro

Rafael Nadal's early exit on Tuesday did not spark any more big upsets in the Australian Open. World No.1 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Roger Federer eased into the third round of the tournament, both downing their opponents in straight sets.

Djokovic had the easier time of the two, defeating Quentin Halys 6-1, 6-2, 7-6(7/3). The 19-year-old Halys was playing in his first grand slam of his career.

"Quentin is new on the tour but definitely today he hasn't been playing like he's been just on the tour for under a year," Djokovic said. "He played some great tennis and I want to congratulate him for fighting and especially in the third set."
Federer was nearly as dominant in his match earlier in the day, defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 7-5, 6-1. Neither Djokovic nor Federer have dropped a set through the first two rounds of the Australian Open.

Second-seeded Andy Murray will try to keep up with his tennis comrades in his second round match against Sam Roth Thursday afternoon. Stan Wawrinka will take on Radek Stepanick to try to punch his ticket to the third round.

Williams, Radwanska, Sharapova also ease to victory

The upset of World No. 2 Simone Halep did not phase the top competitors in the women's division either. No. 1 Serena Williams, No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska and No. 5 Maria Sharapova all punched their ticket to the third round as well, each also winning in straight sets.

Williams, who won last years Australian Open, steamrolled past Su-Wei Hseih 6-1, 6-2. A powerful first serve led Williams to get 13 aces, and needed only an hour to clinch her victory.

Radwanska took a little longer to get going in her first set, but took full command in her second to defeat Eugenie Bouchard. Sharapova had a firm hold of the momentum in her second round match, defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-1.

Australian Daria Gavrilova delivered the biggest upset on Day 3, knocking out two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. Third-seeded Gabrine Muguruza will hope to advance as well when she plays Kirsten Flipkens Thursday afternoon.