Second seed Dinara Safina has progressed into the third round of Australian Open 2010, brushing aside Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in a convincing 6-3 6-4 victory on Hisense Arena on Wednesday.
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Both players started their second round clash strong holding serve for the first seven games.
Zahlavova Strycova kept up the pace with her higher-ranked opponent until she crumbled in the eighth game, when Safina broke the Czech’s serve.
Safina, last year’s finalist, set up break point with a powerful forehand winner down the line screaming a loud “come on” to jump ahead 5-3. After saving a break point in the next game, Safina closed out the set in 44 minutes with a smash.
A pumped-up Safina came out firing in the second set, snatching an early break to race to a 2-0 lead. Zahlavova Strycova had four break opportunities in the second game, but could not capitalise as the towering Russian took a 2-0 lead.
Zahlavova Strycova, ranked No. 67, pushed the second seed around the court trying to find a way to get into the match. She used the drop shot too often, as Safina managed to chase every single one of them down.
Serving at 5-4, the 22-year-old Russian looked to be in trouble as Zahlavova Strycova had four break point opportunities, but Safina eventually prevailed en route to claiming the set and match in 86 minutes.
Safina will next meet Elena Baltacha of Great Britain, who knocked out 30th seed Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 7-5 earlier on Wednesday.
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