RAFA Nadal continued his quest for a 21st Grand Slam title with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, finishing with a blistering forehand. Up next for the sixth seed is Karen Khachanov or Benjamin Bonzi.
Former US Open runner-up Madison Keys staved off a late comeback attempt by Jaqueline Cristian to beat the Romanian 6-2, 7-5. The Adelaide champion has now won seven straight matches and meets Alison Van Uytvanck or Wang Qiang next.
Eighth seed Paula Badosa said playing on Rod Laver Arena following a breakthrough in 2021 in which she tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Australian Open felt special.
“I’m really proud of myself. . . one year ago I was locked in a room,” Badosa said after beating Martina Trevisan. “Being here and playing center court, because of me, not because I’m playing a seeded player, because now I’m the seeded player, I’m happy.”
Top seed Ash Barty used her powerful forehand and delicate slices to devastating effect in a 6-1, 6-1 win over Grand Slam debutant Lucia Bronzetti in 52 minutes.
Earlier, 15th seed Elina Svitolina advanced when Harmony Tan retired from their match with a knee issue and left the court in a wheelchair. Tan was down 6-3, 5-7, 5-1 when she got injured.
Camila Giorgi reached the third round at Melbourne for the fourth time with a 6-2, 7-6(2) win over Tereza Martincova.
Twice former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka and Spanish eighth seed Paula Badosa were the first players into the third round at Melbourne Park. — Reuters
