Melbourne [Australia]: Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic on Wednesday advanced to the third round of Australia Open.
The world number two trounced Japan's Tatsuma Ito 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round. Djokovic dominated the early stages of the match, racing to a 5-0 lead in less than 20 minutes.
The Serbian didn't give Ito a chance to get involved in his service games, dropping just two points on serve to cruise through the opening set, ATP reported.
Ito was able to impose himself more in the second set, but continued to feel the pressure. The top seed let out a roar after a strong forehand gave him a break at 4-4 and he comfortably held in the next game for a commanding advantage.
Djokovic will take on another Japanese player in the next round when he meets Yoshihito Nishioka on Friday, January 24.
Osaka to face Gauff in the third round
Osaka, the No.3 seed was twice down a service break before turning on a four-game barrage to progress 6-2, 6-4 at the Margaret Court Arena.
The former World No.1 is yet to drop a set at this year's tournament and backed up a decisive win over Marie Bouzkova on Monday with a similarly straight-forward victory over Saisai in 80 minutes.
Osaka will next face 15-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff, who recovered from a set down to beat Sorana Cirstea 4-6 6-3 7-5 in the second round on Wednesday.
Gauff rallied after losing the first set and got the pivotal service break in the next-to-last game before serving out against 29-year-old Cirstea, who is playing at the Australian Open for a 12th time.
Gauff started the tournament with her second first-round win over Venus Williams in three majors, following her upset over the seven-time Grand Slam champion at last year's Wimbledon.
