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Wozniacki, Henin quickstep into third round in Melbourne

January 19, 2011 09:51 IST

Caroline Wozniacki and Justine Henin barely broke sweat as they swept into the third round of the Australian Open in the first hour's play on another cool morning at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.

Top seed Wozniacki took just 58 minutes to overpower American Vania King 6-1, 6-0, continuing an impressive start to her attempt to vindicate her number one ranking with a first grand slam title.

Henin, who has won seven majors including the 2004 title here, was shaking hands with the umpire on Rod Laver Arena moments later after putting Briton Elena Baltacha to the sword 6-1, 6-3.

Wozniacki, who was taken to three sets in her only previous meeting with King, combined her best defensive game with 23 winners to set up a meeting with Slovakia's Dominika Cibulova, who beat her last week in Sydney, or Alberta Brianti of Italy.

Justine Henin"I definitely felt like I was playing good tennis today," the 20-year-old Dane said.

"I was playing aggressively. I was playing my game and I felt comfortable out there.

"I believe that I'm a really good player, I can beat anyone on a good day," she added.

Henin, seeded a lowly 11th but second favourite with the bookmakers to win here behind fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, was at her most accurate and served up seven aces as she overwhelmed her British opponent.

The 28-year-old Henin was still feeling the elbow injury that kept her out of the game for six months last year, she said, and the unseasonal low temperatures at a tournament renowned for its searing heat had not helped.

"It's the worst conditions actually," she said.

"The weather doesn't help, that's for sure. So I wasn't feeling at my best on this part today.

"But I have to deal with it and get ready, be focused on your game, even if it's not easy. But I did a good job about that," she added.

Twice grand slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Dutch qualifier Arantxa Rus, stands in Henin's path to the fourth round and the former world number one was not thinking yet about her chances of winning the title.

"It's too early to think about that," she said.

"I still have to deal physically with a lot of things. I don't want to look too far, just live day after day, enjoy my victory today, and get ready for the next one," she added.

Former world number five Tommy Robredo registered something of an upset with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over American 16th seed Mardy Fish on his way into the third round in the men's draw.

Defending champion Roger Federer makes his second appearance of the tournament against Frenchman Gilles Simon in the evening session on Rod Laver Arena.
Source: REUTERS
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