Serena Williams certainly displayed her athletic prowess and fierce competitive spirit in the Australian Open’s third round. Though unseeded herself, Williams fought to victory over fifth seed Nadia Petrova (1-6, 7-5, 6-3). Williams joked that she felt like running a marathon after winning this match. She’d better save her energy for Sunday when she faces Jelena Jankovic, she’ll need it against this fiery up-and-comer; Jankovic scored an impressive third round victory over Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (6-3, 6-4).
Amelie Mauresmo, the defending women’s champ, took down Eva Birnerova in two sets (6-3, 6-1) and plays Lucie Safarova next. Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova also had an easy win over Maria Kirilenko, 6-1, 6-4. Other winners in the women’s singles third round were Elena Dementieva, Nicole Vaidisova, and Shahar Peer.
Still to come in third round women’s action: Maria Sharapova vs. Tathiana Garbin, Kim Clijsters vs. Alona Bondarenko, Martina Hingis vs. Aiko Nakamura, Dinara Safina vs. Na Li.