Australian Open - Day 5 round up

Women's

Serena Williams maintained her dominance so far in the tournament with another straight sets win over former world number 5 Daniela Hantuchová. The win today marks Wiliams 61^st singles win at the Australian Open, setting a new record for the championship. In both sets double faults was a big problem for Hantuchova. Which then gave Williams the opportunity to break her, which of course she did. In the end it was a very business like performance by Williams however there is one thing she will be disappointed with. Her first serve percentage was only 48%. While it may not of cause her much concern in this match, further on in the tournament it may well do. Still despite the low percentage, Williams produced 10 aces. After the match quoting BBC Sport Williams said:-

"It was a tough match,"
"Daniela is a great opponent so I'm really happy to come out with the win. It was hot but you have to play, you have to be ready and prepare yourself mentally. I'm excited to get through."

Next for the top seed in Anna Ivanovic. Ivanovic had to come back from a set down after losing a close rain affected tiebreak to home favourite Sam Stosur. During the two hours and 14 minuets match Ivanovic had a first serve in of 58% (73% in the third set alone) and produced 46 winners compared to Stosur's 21. 

 Casey Dellacqua's dream run at the Austrailian Open continued after her 62 64 win over Zheng Jie. This win makes it the first time Dellacqua has made the forth round of a Grand Slam singles since 2008. Throughout the hour and 23 minuet match, Dellacqua remained in control. Achieving 58% first serve in (winning 69% of them) and 14 winners to ease past her Chinese opposition. In the forth round she faces one of the most promising youngsters on the tour, Eugenie Bouchard. Facing another youngster Lauren Davis, Bouchard took control of the match throughout. In the first set she raced to a 5-1 lead which gave her enough of a gap to take the first set 62. The trend more a less occurred in the second set as well. Bouchard achieved 71% first serves in, 18 winners but 23 unforced errors. This makes its Bouchard's first ever forth round in a Grand Slam as well as being the first Canadian Women in the last 16 since 1999

Li Na was forced to come back from the brink of defeat against Lucie Šafářová. It was a disastrous first set for Na who produced only 2 winners and a shocking 18 unforced errors giving Šafářová a 61 lead. In the second set Šafářová also had match point which Na saves, forcing it to a tiebreak. Luckily for the 4^th seed she was able to regain her rhythm and take the tiebreak 7-2. Li Na was then able to capitalised against her opponent who just a couple games before the third set had the chance to win the match to take the third set and match 63. In the forth round Na will face Ekaterina Makarova after her 64 64 win over Monica Niculescu. Going in to the forth round match Li Na has a 4-0 head to head lead.

Finally Angelique Kerber will meet Flavia Pennetta in the last 16. Kerber fired 4 aces and 21 winners on route to her 63 64 win over Alison Riske. Meanwhile Pennetta beat Mona Barthel 61 75 in her match. During the second set Pennetta struggled with her serve by only registering 33% first serves in and 4 double faults but she was still able the Edge the German out. 

Men's

 

Novak Djokovic recovered from a minor blip towards the end of the third set in his relatively comfortable 63 63 75 win over Denis Istomin. The first two sets was dominated by the Serbian with Djokovic winning 11/12 net points, 3/3 break points and belting 23 winners. Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, was on course to reproduce his impressive form in the third set. Leading 5-4 and serving for the match, Istomin was inspired but the rowdy late night crowd (who at times displease Djokovic) to generate his first break point of the match and then level it again. Istomin did produce great shots at times in the third set. Djokovic wasn't however to be denied and immediately broke back and went on to take the match 75. In the next match Djokovic faces 15^th seed Fabio Fognini. Fognini beat Sam Querry in a close three set match with the final scoreline being 75 64 64.Fognini produced 43 winners and won 75% of his first serve points.

Thomas Berdych had little trouble against young Bosnian star Damir Džumhur. Džumhur has had a great tournament in Melbourne by coming through qualifying and two rounds of the main draw (i suppose technically one as Dodig retire in the second round). This could be the start of a very promising season for Džumhur, definitly one to keep an eye on in the rankings. Berdych was never troubled in the match in which he produced 32 winners and was never broken. On the other hand his 4^th round opponent, Kevin Anderson had a far harder win against Edouard Roger-Vasselin. In his almost 4 hour marathon Anderson had to battle back from 2 sets down to take the match against. This is now the second time in three matches that Anderson has had to come back from 2 sets down to take the match, clearly something Berdych needs to be aware of.

David Ferrer made his 15^th consecutive grand slam forth round after a straight sets win over Jeremy Chardy in 2 hours and 12 minuets. Ferrer was helped to the next round thanks to Chardy's high error count (51 compared to Ferrer's 24). The 3^rd seed also produced a 72% first serve in, winning 70% of them. Next to face hm is Germany's Florian Mayer after his shock 75 62 62 win over Jerzy Janowicz (20). Janowicz who has been coping with a foot injury so far this season, just wasn't really his self. One example is for a player known for his Strong serve and aces, he only produced three the entire match. In contrast Mayer shot 17 aces at him and won 42/46 of his first serve in points.

Finally another seed to fall was 9^th seed Richard Gasquet who after taking the first set with ease came unstuck against Tommy Robredo (62 57 46 67). Looking at the stats it is hard to say what exactly went wrong for Gasquet who had less unforced errors and more winners than Robredo. This is Robredo's first forth round at the Australian open since 2011. In the next round he will face the might of Stanislas Wawrinka (Wawrinka had a walkover against Vasek Pospisil). This may prove to be one of the most intriguing forth round matches as Robredo has a 6-1 head to head lead over Wawrinka who is 10 places above him in the rankings.