Zheng Jie reaches last 16, Peng Shuai ousted from Aussie Open

Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng Jie beat Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2 to continue her best-ever Australian Open.

The 22nd seed only 69 minutes to send Bondarenko packing in the third round encounter.

"I feel I play good for today, because before the match I do much homework to study my opponent. I know how to play this match," said Zheng, who never reached second round or beyond in previous Australian Open.

"It's a little surprised that I can win the match so easily, because I know she plays aggressive tennis. So at the beginning I go to the court and play more aggressive than her."

Earlier, China's Peng Shuai was dumped out of the event, losing to Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4.

"I think it's really good experience for me. It's my first time to play her," said Peng.

"The first set, I was a bit nervous, and then a little bit too tight. But after the start of the second set, I feel much better."

"I was up and I get little bit chances, but didn't take that. I learn from her and just keep going."

Serena will face rising teen star Victoria Azarenka, who ended Amelie Mauresmo's AO campaign 6-4, 6-2.

"It was definitely a lot better than my second round. But, you know, I'm still trying to work on some things and hoping they'll come together," Serena said.

"I'm feeling a little rusty, for whatever reason. I'm hoping my next round I'll be a little better."

She added that her sister's shock upset in the second round had given her extra motivation to win here.

"It obviously increases my motivation and my desire to win and hopefully do better."

Elena Dementieva, whom I predicted going to have a great run in AO together with Serena, defeated Aussie Samantha Stosur 7-6, 6-4.

The fourth round of AO will continue today.

(Via xinhuanet, Images via Yahoo! Sports, sports.sina.com.cn)

Bernard Tomic to choose the US or London over Australia

Australia's teenage sensation Bernard Tomic announced that he will move abroad, either to the US or London, in the next three months, so he can continue developing his game as he begins his life as a professional tennis player.

After gaining a wildcard entry and making it to the Australian Open second round, Tomic believes he's ready to take on the men.

"Now that I'm becoming more of a name in Australia, I've got to take the opportunity to build my game and work hard and take it to the next level," Tomic said.

"My parents are looking at moving to either England or America in the next three or four months."

"Then I have to work on my game and get a lot more opportunities."

"I can't stay on the Gold Coast forever."

"There's a lot of expectations now and I've got to find the right place where I can stay and have a home base."

Tomic said he would next head to Burnie in Tasmania, for a challenger event, and would then try to pick up a wildcard in Miami.

He said it was unrealistic to expect a huge rankings climb.

"To be honest with you, I don't think I can make top 100 this year," he said.

"I think I could get in the top 300 and that's a good goal."

"If I crack the 300 then I can play grand slam qualifying straight away and I'll never need wildcards and that's where I can build myself up."

"The next year is going to be good for me to build up, play more futures and challengers, because I've seen I can match it with these guys."

"It's just a matter of me getting stronger and playing in those big tournaments."

Today, Tomic who have just signed a two-year deal with Garnier, made a special appearance as their brand ambassador during the Australian Open week.

He might be only 16 years old but this guy qualifies to show you why chicks dig guys who take care of their beauty and health.


(Via news.com.au; Images via sports.sina.com.cn)

Ai Sugiyama, Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun bow out at Aussie Open

Now, China's Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai are Asia's last hopes after Ai Sugiyama and Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun failed to convert their 3rd round matches into victory.

Veteran Sugiyama, playing in her 60th Grand Slam (!) put up a brave fight on centre court against Jelena Jankovic before losing 4-6, 4-6.

Sugiyama said the heat affected her, but doesn't know why as she usually handles it well.

Asked if she was happy with her performance, she said: "Yes and no."

"My expectation was a little bit higher. I don't know why but I couldn't breathe properly today, somehow it was very shallow and I had cramping towards the end."

"It's strange because normally I'm good at playing in the heat. I usually like it but today I wasn't feeling great."

Sugiyama called a medical time-out in the second set, telling officials she was having trouble breathing as trainers placed bags of ice on her legs.

She said she would consult a doctor but believes it was only minor dehydration.

On the men's singles, Rendy who had his biggest win against David Nalbandian on Wednesday, was brought crashing back to earth by Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Rendy missed the chance to play against Andy Roddick in the fourth round.

Asian hopes now rest with Zheng and Peng.

They play their third round matches today with Zheng Jie having the easier task up against Kateryna Bondarenko.

Peng Shuai will face world no. 2 Serena Williams in a match that I hope will be an upset.


(Via AFP; Images by Franck Robichon/Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images)

Nadia Petrova babysits for a day, advances to the fourth round

Looks like Nadia Petrova had lots of fun playing with the kids and walking along the Brighton Beach on day five of the 2009 Australian Open.

In the third-round match yesterday, Petrova advanced when Galina Voskoboeva was forced to retire with a back injury after losing the first set 6-1.

She will face seventh-seeded fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva, who beat Italian Sara Errani 6-4, 6-1. Petrova holds a 5-1 record against her countrywoman.

Petrova's shortened match could be a boon for her, who has been struggling to recover from the meningitis that forced her to withdraw from a tournament in Auckland early this month.

"It is very nice and it is very unexpected because I got ready for a battle out there," Petrova said.

"I really wanted (to win) this match not only because I made the fourth round last year but for proving to myself that after such a hard time that I can still come back and perform at the top level."

"I'm good, quite happy actually. I had a difficult week in Sydney (she lost in the first round). I wasn't strong enough and I really didn't trust my body up there, so I just wanted to test the waters.

"But I'm very happy with my general feeling right now. I feel like every day I'm getting stronger and it's really helping me in my matches."

(Via theage.com.au; Images by Scott Barbour/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images AsiaPac via zimbio.com)