Six-time champion Serena Williams sweeps into third round
Thursday 19 January 2017 10:53, UK
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni turned back the clock to stun third seed Agnieszka Radwanska at the Australian Open while Karolina Pliskova was in dominant form with a straight sets win over Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova.
The Croat, 34, who won the Australian Open doubles title way back in 1998, was too good for the Pole, winning 6-3 6-2 on Margaret Court Arena for one of her biggest career victories.
"It's amazing, oh my God," said Lucic-Baroni. "It's been so long since I won a match or two (at a Grand Slam). Actually as I'm getting older, it seems like I'm getting better.
"I knew until the very last point I would have to fight... I was able to do that and stay calm. My heart is so full. I'm so happy."
Awaiting her now is either French 28th seed Alize Cornet or Maria Sakkari of Greece, with a potential quarter-final showdown with on-fire Karolina Pliskova looming.
Fifth-seeded Pliskova took just 62 minutes to see off Blinkova 6-0 6-2 and has now dropped only four games in her opening two matches of the tournament.
Pliskova has made a terrific start to 2017 and remains unbeaten following her win at the Brisbane International earlier this month.
Early signs suggest the Czech 24-year-old can be a serious contender to win her first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park but she has played down her prospects.
Pliskova said: "I'm feeling pretty good on the court, confident. I have some matches already that I won this year.
"I didn't lose yet, which is also a good thing. I think I'm playing good, even though the opponents were not that high level, I would say.
"[The] third round is definitely going to be more tough than the first two. Also people are saying I have a good chance to win a Grand Slam, but we are just in third round, so let's see."
Pliskova plays Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko next after she upset 31st seed Yulia Putintseva in straight sets.
Powerhouse Serena Williams swept past Lucie Safarova and into the third round to keep her Grand Slam record hunt firmly on track.
The American, chasing her 23rd major title, was in the zone to win 6-3 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, just hours after fellow second seed Novak Djokovic was sensationally knocked out.
Williams will now play Nicole Gibbs, who beat another American, Irina Falconi, 6-4 6-1.
Dominika Cibulkova won on her fifth match point as she defeated Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei 6-4 7-6 to set up a meeting with Russian 30th seed Ekaterina Makarova.
Makarova advanced when her opponent Sara Errani was forced to retire while trailing 6-2, 3-2, the Italian leaving the court in tears.
If Cibulkova beats her, British ninth seed Johanna Konta or Caroline Wozniacki, a former world No 1, could be next up.
She said: "I had the match under control but in the end she was hitting some great shots. I lost confidence a bit but was trying to be really mentally there.
"I'm really happy to be in the third round but my performance could be better.
Wozniacki was in ominous form as she set up that meeting with Konta by defeating Donna Vekic 6-1 6-3.
Wozniacki said: "I know how she played and knew what to expect. I practise with her sometimes and I just tried to stay focused."
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