British No.2 Kyle Edmund has progressed to the Australian Open third round for the first time after victory over Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin.
Edmund secured a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win against Istomin to set up a last-32 clash against world No.61 Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Describing his victory as a “good, professional performance”, Edmund told the BBC: “I served well. I just made a lot of serves at the right times. Good placement really.
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“It felt like it was tough for him to get on top of rallies from the return. I always felt it was either neutral or I was on top most of the time. That’s part of it, managing your serve well when you’re in a commanding position. You don’t need to take too much risk.”
Nadal happy to win again in Melbourne
World No.1 Rafael Nadal is also through to the last 32 after a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win over Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer.
The Spanish top seed, who will play Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Damir Dzumhur in round three, was happy to win his second match in Melbourne. He said: “A second victory in a row is very important news for me. Leonardo is a player with big potential, he hits the ball so strong. He is a very dangerous opponent. This tournament is my favourite of the year, so I want to stay here as long as possible.”
Home favourite Nick Kyrgios won in straight sets against Viktor Troicki. The Australian won 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to set up a third-round match against 15th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Kostyuk, 15, sets up Svitolina clash
In the women’s singles 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk is the youngest player to reach a grand slam third round since 1997 after beating Olivia Rogowska.
The 2017 Australian Open girls’ champion and world No.521 won 6-3, 7-5 against Rogowska and will next play fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
“I was lucky that I played finals on Rod Laver last year,” said Kostyuk, “so I kind of knew how is it to play on the big court. I was pretty tight in the beginning, but not in the shots; more in the serve.”
Wozniacki fights back to beat Fett
No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki saved two match points to beat Jana Fett 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. The Dane was 5-1 down in the final set, but hit back to secure her spot in the last 32.
She said: “I am relieved to be through. I fought for every point and didn’t give up, and it was rewarded. I am extremely happy to be through and to have another opportunity to be out here - it was definitely a crazy match. It was experience that did it.”
