No meltdown as Djokovic, Serena cruise in Melbourne

David Ferrer's unrelenting fighting spirit put him in good stead in his match over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who won the second set before wilting in the heat and going down 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-0 6-3. REUTERS

Samantha Stosur eased into the third round of the Australian Open via a straight-sets defeat of talented Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova on Rod Laver Arena. The 17th-seeded Stosur triumphed 6-2, 6-0 over Pironkova, who was clearly distressed by a leg injury during the second set. REUTERS

Ana Ivanovic comprehensively beat Germany's Annika Beck to set up an intriguing third round clash with home favourite Sam Stosur at the Australian Open. The 2008 French Open champion needed just 56 minutes to sweep past Beck 6-1 6-2 and maintain her excellent recent run of form. REUTERS

Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver, seeded 28th, played through severe back pain to claim a heroic 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (11-9), 6-1 defeat of Australian Matthew Ebden. The Canadian took treatment three times in the second set and at times looked finished, but the 23-year-old fought on and managed to earn the improbable victory. REUTERS

Eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka saw off the dogged challenge of Colombia's Alejandro Falla to advance to the third round of the Australian Open. In what was the final match of the evening session on Margaret Court Arena, Wawrinka did not have things all his own way but eventually came through 6-3 6-3 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 in a little over two and three-quarter hours. REUTERS

Li Na opened proceedings on Rod Laver on Wednesday and completed back-to-back wins over the two youngest players in the draw. The 2011 French Open champion, a two-time finalist at Melbourne Park, raced through the first set against 16-year-old Belinda Bencic in 22 minutes, conceding just 10 points. She had to work harder in the second before winning 6-0, 7-6 (5). REUTERS

Five-times champion Serena Williams played well within herself in stifling conditions on Rod Laver Arena to advance to the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Serbia's Vesna Dolonc on Wednesday. REUTERS

Novak Djokovic needed 107 minutes to take the second step on the path he hopes will take him to a fourth successive title by thrashing Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-0 6-4 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. REUTERS