Popular Chinese star Li Na has scored a straight-sets win en route to the third round of the Australian Open.
The sixth seed – a finalist at Melbourne Park in 2011, the year she won the French Open – beat Belarusian Olga Govortsova on Wednesday 6-2 7-5.
But 15th seed Dominika Cibulkova was not so fortunate, exiting after a shock loss to a qualifier.
The Czech went down in straight sets in the second round – losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to little-known Russian Valeria Savinykh.
World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanksa and fifth seed Angelique Kerber both moved easily into the third round.
Kerber disposed of Czech Lucie Hradecka, the German winning 6-3 6-1.
Kerber has had her best year by far on tour, winning titles in Paris and Copenhagen and reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and the French Open quarter-finals.
Despite her rise up the rankings, she was cagey about her prospects, although strongly hinted she expected to move deep into the tournament.
“I just look from round to round,” Kerber said. “I think the second week will be a good thing but, I mean, it’s the first grand slam and every player plays very well.”
Kerber said she was prepared for a hard match and, with a hotter day, was happy not to encounter a lot of resistance.
“It was very hot today and she’s a tough opponent – you need to be ready for the whole match, because she’s playing the ball very hard and deep in the court,” Kerber said.
Polish star Radwanska was forced to fight back in both sets before moving through her second-round clash with Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.
Radwanska, who is unbeaten this year after tournament wins in Auckland and Sydney, eventually won 6-3 6-3 in 86 minutes.
Begu surprised the fourth seed by breaking serve in the first game then fighting her way back into the match after Radwanska was serving for the first set at 5-1.
The Romanian also produced a comeback in the second set as Radwanska let go a number of chances.
“I’m very happy to be playing my best tennis at the start of the year,” Radwanska said.
“It’s always great to win in two sets.”
