Melbourne, Jan. 21: Defending champion Roger Federer enjoyed a record 57th win at the Australian Open on Friday as former winner Justine Henin was condemned to her worst Grand Slam in five years.
Men’s third seed Novak Djokovic, women’s number one Caroline Wozniacki and Russian Maria Sharapova also reached the last 16 as temperatures soared at Melbourne Park.
Federer handed out a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 beating to ponytailed Belgian Xavier Malisse, whom he has known since his junior days.
In the process he broke Stefan Edberg’s record for the most Australian Open victories in the Open Era and took an important step towards a fifth title — and the chance to deny Rafael Nadal a sweep of the Grand Slam crowns.
As temperatures rose past 32 degrees Celsius on the tournament’s hottest day, 2004 winner Henin was floored by Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova, who held her nerve in a gripping tiebreak to win 6-4, 7-6 (10/8). Earlier Djokovic received a helping hand when fellow Serb Viktor Troicki retired hurt after going a set down.
Meanwhile, Wozniacki was broken three times but cashed in on an even higher error-rate by Dominika Cibulkova, wrapping it up 6-4, 6-3.
Selected results
Men’s singles 3rd round (x denotes seeding): Djokovic (SRB x3) bt Troicki (SBR) 6-2, (ret); Almagro (ESP x14) bt Ljubicic (CRO x17) 6-4, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3; Roddick (USA x8) bt Haase (NED) 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2; Federer (SUI x2) bt Malisse (BEL) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1; Robredo (ESP) by Stakhovsky (UKR) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2; Wawrinka (SUI x19) bt Monfils (FRA x12) 7-6, (7/4), 6-2, 6-3.
Women’s singles 3rd round (x denotes seeding): Wozniacki (DEN x1) bt Cibulkova (SVK x29) 6-4, 6-3; Schiavone (ITA x6) bt Niculescu (ROM) 6-0, 7-6 (7/2); Li Na (CHN x9) bt Strycova (CZE) 6-2, 6-1; Azarenka (BLR x8) bt Scheepers (RSA) 6-3, 6-3; Kuznetsova (RUS x23) bt Henin (BEL x11) 6-4, 7-6 (10/8); Sharapova (RUS x14) bt Goerges (GER) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4; Petkovic (GER x30) bt Williams (USA x4) 1-0, (ret).