Britain's Andy Murray faced down his Grand Slam nemesis Roger Federer in an electrifying five-set thriller to reach the Australian Open final on Friday night.
Rafa Nadal eased into the second round of the Australian Open with a fuss-free 6-4 6-1 6-1 win over American Alex Kuznetsov on Monday.
Australian Open begins as China's top two cruise in sweltering conditions
Players swathed themselves in ice packs, one felt ill and another complained she couldn't breathe on Monday as soaring heat made for a gruelling first day at the Australian Open.
China's Li Na beat off a slow start to down Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-1 in stifling heat at the first round of the Australian Open.
A combative Rafa Nadal returned serve at sceptics who have questioned his motivation at the Australian Open on Sunday.
Li Na returns to Melbourne Park, the scene of her trailblazing run to the final that set up a platform for an unlikely French Open victory over champion Francesca Schiavone in June.
World number one Caroline Wozniacki will begin her quest to prove the doubters wrong and win a maiden grand slam when she meets Anastasia Rodionova on the first day of the Australian Open on Monday.
From Zheng Jie's thrilling semifinal run in 2010 to Li Na's first Grand Slam final appearance last year, Melbourne Park has witnessed Chinese female tennis set milestones one after the other.
SYDNEY - Victoria Azarenka ended Li Na's unbeaten two-year run at the Sydney International with a fighting three-set victory in the final on Friday.
Germany's Andrea Petkovic did something completely out of character after winning her opening match at the Sydney International. She simply walked to the net and shook hands.
China's Zheng Jie came back from behind to claim the championship at the 2012 ASB Classic women's tennis tournament in Auckland Sunday.
China's Zheng Jie came back from behind to claim the championship at the 2012 ASB Classic women's tennis tournament in Auckland on Sunday.
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