Australian Open 2011 – day two update

Written by: Staff on 18th January 2011

Australian Open 2011 – day two update

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Alicia Molik lit up day two of the Australian Open with a first round win at Rod Laver Arena.

After a last minute court change to Rod Laver Arena, Molik was roared on by a vocal home crowd as she came from one set behind to defeat Roberta Vinci (ITA) in a thrilling three-set match.

Australian players Samantha Stosur and teenage wildcard Bernard Tomic both moved into the second round with straight set wins today. World No.5 Stosur was too strong for 17 year-old Lauren Davis (USA) while Tomic defeated Jeremy Chardy (FRA).

World No.1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) started his tournament in ominous fashion by defeating Marcos Daniel (BRA) without conceding a single game. In his quest to become the eighth player in history to hold all four Grand Slam® titles at the same time, the top seed was unstoppable before the Brazilian retired late in the second set. No.5 seed Andy Murray (GBR) was also on the verge of victory before his opponent Karol Beck (SVK) suffered an injury in their first round match.

No.3 seed Kim Clijsters (BEL) took little time to dispose of former No.1 Dinara Safina (RUS), 6-0 6-0 and in the upset of the day Ana Ivanovic(SRB) was knocked out by Ekaterina Makarova (RUS).

In other results No.2 seed Vera Zvonareva (RUS) eased into the second round and will be joined by No.4 seed Robin Soderling (SWE), Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) and Jelena Jankovic (SRB).

Click here for high-resolution images from today’s play.