Breaking News: Venus stunned in second round action in Melbourne

No. 6 seed Venus Williams was ousted in her night match on Thursday, as she fell to rising star Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets, 26 63 75, while sister Serena was also pushed to the limits by her opponent, but eventually got through.

No. 2 seed Serena was in a lot of trouble against Gisela Dulko, as she was down 5-3 in the second set and had to fight of 6 set points, but the American came back to win in straight sets, 63 75.

"Today I was at a D-minus at best," Williams said. "But it's good I was able to win when I wasn't playing my best. I will definitely try to do better from now on. And it's good to know that these girls are bringing their A-games against me."

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva was in better form than Williams, as she ousted Iveta Benesova, 64 61.

"I played a little bit better than in my first match; this is what I need if I want to improve, if I want to go all the way," Dementieva said. "It's a very good feeling. There are still lots of things I want to work on, but I still hope to play well here. This is why we come to play the Australian Open. I hope to keep improving."

No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova also cruised through, against Tatjana Malek, 62 62.

Former champion Amelie Mauresmo won her match to Elena Baltacha, 46 63 62.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. Gisela Dulko (ARG) 63 75

(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 64 61

Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (6) Venus Williams (USA) 26 63 75

(8) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 62 62

(12) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (WC) Jessica Moore (AUS) 64 61

(13) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 41 ret. (abdominal strain)

Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. (14) Patty Schnyder (SUI) 63 61

(18) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 60 62

(20) Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) d. (Q) Elena Baltacha (GBR) 46 63 62

(21) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Julie Coin (FRA) 61 64

(22) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 76(0) 57 63

(31) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Severine Brémond (FRA) 76(1) 16 62

Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (Q) Sesil Karatantcheva (BUL) 64 60

Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) 63 64

Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 75 75

María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 62 64