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The seven-time Australian Open champion, Serena Williams, added another victory by clashing to her total record at the first major event of the year.
Williams seed # 10 passed Nina Stojanovic of Serbia 6-3 and 6-0 at Rod Laver Arena to reach the third round spot in Melbourne for the 19th time in 20 games.
“It’s really a matter of finding that key balance for me,” Williams said at his post-match press conference, after improving his Grand Slam win and loss record in the second round to 73-2.
Williams, 23 times Grand Slam champion, who has played and won more matches in this tournament than any other woman in tournament history, has improved her Australian Open winning and losing record to 89-12. His first round win over Laura Siegemund was his 100th Australian Open singles match.
Former world No. 1 won an hour and nine minute victory over world No. 99 Stojanovic, the only Serbian in the Top 100 in the simple WTA ranking, earning an impressive 86 percent of her first service points and saving the three breaking points she faced during the confrontation.
Williams’ backhands clicked in the early stages. She won a difficult game in 4-2 with the strength of that team, saving two break points in the process. A set point winner added an exclamation point to the opening for the American.
Stojanovic had already set a new standard for herself this week, achieving her first Grand Slam victory in the opening round over Irina-Camelia Begu. However, Stojanovic’s streak came to an end in the hands of Williams, who won the last seven games of the match.
Williams will now face Anastasia Potapova in the third round, after the Russian teenager dispatched Timea Babos from Hungary 6-2 6-4 on Wednesday.
Potapova, 19, the 2016 Wimbledon junior champion, also defeated Alison Riske No. 24 in this week’s opening round, en route to her first appearance in the third round in an important tournament.
“I couldn’t feel any better than I do now,” said Potapova after his victory. “It’s great to be in the third stage for the first time, especially here in Australia, the first Slam of the year. These are incredible feelings.”
It will be the second consecutive year that Williams and Potapova will meet in Melbourne. Williams defeated Potapova in the first round last year 6-0, 6-3.
“Last year, I had this experience with her,” said Potapova. “I felt a little discouraged in this match, because it is always difficult to face someone for the first time, especially her. But I am a little different now, I grew up and I think it will be a very good match, and I will do whatever it takes to get a victory or show my best.
“Obviously, she is the best player of all time for me. I am very excited for that.”
Swiatek extends the consecutive Grand Slam winning streak to nine
A rematch took place in the second round at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, where current Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek defeated Camila Giorgi of Italy 6-2, 6-4.
Swiatek had lost 6-2 and 6-0 to Giorgi in his only previous clash, which took place in the same round at the same location, two years ago. But this time, No.15 Swiatek took control of the match and stopped Giorgi’s aggressive game in 80 minutes.
The victory remains strong in the majors for Swiatek, who has now won 18 consecutive Grand Slam sets since the French Open.
Swiatek, 19, had 17 winners and an equal number of unforced errors on Wednesday, while Giorgi’s pitch style, which has won his big wins in the past, has resulted in 11 winners and 31 unforced mistakes by day.
Swiatek’s 6-2 and 2-0 lead was shaken by a streak by Giorgi, with the Italian’s powerful shots hitting the court more consistently. Giorgi retreated three consecutive games and got a 4-2 lead, but Swiatek defended himself against Giorgi’s wave to hold 3-3.
Swiatek used his strong forehand to defeat Giorgi in the next game, then returned home to set up a match in the third round with Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro.
Venus is wounded as Errani advances
In a meeting between two award-winning veterans, Sara Errani advanced to the third round on an injured Venus Williams 6-1, 6-0.
With Errani leading 5-1, former world No. 1 Williams stumbled over a shot for the Italian at the first point of the game. Visibly sore, Williams needed to be treated on his right ankle and left knee shortly thereafter.
Williams returned to the court and lost the last game of the opening game, but continued bravely in the second set, finding powerful blows to stay in the mix of some games played, despite the movement strongly affected.
However, Errani prevented the seven-time Grand Slam champion from converting more game points, and she finally achieved her second victory in her last two encounters with the American star.
Former world No. 5 Errani had to go through qualifying in Dubai to get her first spot in the Australian Open main draw since 2017. Currently ranked No. 13 in the world, this is the first showing of Roland’s finalist third round Garros in 2012 in an important event since the 2015 US Open.
“I think it’s the passion for tennis,” said Errani when asked about his perseverance in a long career. “I think it’s the real thing. I mean, I love tennis a lot, I love to play, so I’m just trying to get over anything.”
The next one for Errani will be Hsieh Su-wei, who turn No.8 seed Bianca Andreescu previous Wednesday. Errani has a 3-0 head-to-head record over Hsieh.