Tennis:Novak Djokovic stressed the importance of winning easily in the opening rounds after breezing past Santiago Giraldo at the Australian Open. The defending champion has been untroubled so far in Melbourne - and that's just how he likes it.
Having won his first-round match for the loss of just two games, the world number one posted another easy win on Thursday, beating Colombian Santiago Giraldo 6-3 6-2 6-1.
Djokovic dropped his serve early on but that proved the only blip as he cruised through to a clash with Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.
"This court is probably one of the most successful courts in my career," he said. "I've had two titles here, 2008 and last year and coming back to that court always brings me nice memories. I like the conditions, the speed of the court, the balls, everything.
"It is true that when I step on there I feel that I belong, that I know what to do, that I feel more confident maybe than on other courts around the world.''
Djokovic is looking good as he tries to defend his title, one of three he won during a spectacular 2011 campaign. But asked afterwards whether he felt invincible, Djokovic replied: "I don't think anybody is invincible.
"It's just a matter of the confidence you have, the self-belief on the court, your qualities as a player, being out there physically, mentally and being able to perform your best on a day-to-day basis.''
Home favourite Lleyton Hewittmoved through to the third round after Andy Roddickquit their contest.
Roddick took the first set of the battle of the former world number ones but he soon fell behind in the second following a stumble and it soon became apparent he had a problem with his leg.
At 3-0 down, the four-time Melbourne semi-finalist left the court for treatment.
When he returned, the 15th seed battled on gamely, but Hewitt's relentless chasing style is not suited to anyone carrying an injury and when the Aussie took the third set, Roddick decided it was time to call it a day.
The score was 3-6 6-3 6-4 at the time.
"It was a nightmare for both of us,'' said Hewitt. "Obviously Andy stretched something and it's hard to concentrate for the player up the other end. Andy is such a great fighter so you know when he is struggling.
"I don't want to sound cruel but you just try to run him around a bit more. We are out here competing, it's hard work.''
Andy Murraybreezed in to the third round ith a straight-sets win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin. The Scot, the world number four, never looked back from a lightning-fast start as he recorded a 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory.
With his first serve working beautifully, Murray showed a clear improvement from his tough first-round tie against Ryan Harrison.
Murray said: "I served well today. I didn't give him too many opportunities on my serve, which was important as he played well in the second and third sets."
Fifth seed David Ferrerwas taken the distance before booking his place in the last 32. The Spaniard, a semi-finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago, must have feared he was on his way out when he fell two sets to one down to American Ryan Sweeting.
However, the world number five toughed it out to secure a 6-7 (4/7) 6-2 3-6 6-2 6-3. The key moment came in the eighth game of the final set, Ferrer breaking the Harrison serve to open a decisive lead.
"It was a very tough match, playing five sets in three hours," Ferrer said. "Maybe in the fifth set I played better in the important moments than (him). It was very close."
Janko Tipsarevicalso had to come from behind to stay in the tournament.
The ninth-seeded Serb was up against wild card James Duckworthand a vociferous home crowd on the Margaret Court Arena but fought back from a set down to win 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.
Sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsongahad things much easier against Brazil's Ricardo Mello, winning 7-5 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a quarter-final meeting with Murray.
Tsonga, runner-up here in 2008, feels the conditions Down Under can help him embark on another good run.
"The conditions here are good for me,'' he said. ''And it's pretty warm. The surface also, it's not really quick so maybe it's good for my game."
There were contrasting fortunes for two other French seeds. Gael Monfils (14)progressed, storming back from a set down to beat Thomaz Bellucciin four sets, but Gilles Simonwas beaten in five sets by compatriot Julien Benneteau.
Simon missed chances to win the opening two sets - both of which he lost - and after fighting back to level the match, the 12th seed succumbed in the decider to lose 7-5 7-6 (10/8) 1-6 3-6 6-2.
Marcel Granollersand Alex Bogomolov Jrwere lower seeds to fall - the latter losing to Murray's next opponent, Michael Llodra- but rising Canadian star Milos Raonicprogressed.