Big guns advance with loved ones in tow

A relentless Rafael Nadal shrugged off an injury scare before turning on a masterclass under the lights of Rod Laver Arena to destroy flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-1 6-2 6-3 and storm into the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday.REUTERS

Maria Sharapova continued her erratic Australian Open campaign with a scratchy 6-1 7-6 (8-6) win over Alize Cornet that put her into the last 16 on Saturday but also sent her straight to the practice court in search of some sorely needed form. REUTERS

Two-time defending champion Victoria Azarenka made it all look routine Saturday in defeating unseeded Yvonne Meusburger 6-1, 6-0 in a third-round match at the Australian Open. REUTERS

France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga raced into the last 16 of the Australian Open with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-2 victory over Gilles Simon on Saturday, bringing an end to his compatriot’s remarkable run at Melbourne Park.REUTERS

Federer, who next plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, had his entire family to support him at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park on Saturday. Federer's twin daughters were accompanied by their mother Mirka Vavrinec. REUTERS

Andy Murray continued his domination of left-handers by swatting aside Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-2 to reach the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday. Murray’s win over the big-serving Spaniard was his 14th in succession against southpaws, part of a prolonged mastery dating back to hitting practice with his left-handed brother Jamie.REUTERS

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki rued several missed opportunities to advance to the Australian Open fourth round after she crashed out to rising Spanish talent Garbine Muguruza on Saturday.REUTERS

All eyes should have been on Andy Murray as he continues his successful Australian Open campaign in Melbourne at the first grand slam of the year. But as his stylish girlfriend Kim Sears arrived courtside, all swishy hair and doll-like features, it must have been hard for the Oz tennis fans not to be distracted for a moment. REUTERS

Fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska had a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 over No. 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and will next play Garbine Muguruza of Spain, who beat former No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. REUTERS

The second seed Victoria Azarenka reached the fourth round when she broke the Austrian world number 49 for the seventh time with a thundering smash. Her rapper boyfriend Redfoo was present to support her ladylove who seeks her third consecutive title at the Rod Laver Arena.REUTERS