Australian Open | Federer and Murray through to third round

Australian Open | Federer and Murray through to third round

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Former Champion Roger Federer and World No. 1 Andy Murray secured a place in the third round of the year's first Grand Slam with wins over Noah Rubin and Andrey Rublev respectively. Indians Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna advanced to the next round in the women's and men's doubles respectively.

Two-time Wimbledon Champion Murray was ruthless in his approach against 19-year-old Andrey Rublev in his second match. In a display of sheer dominance, the Scot dropped just five games as he completed a convincing 6-3 6-0 6-2 win. Murray will face American Sam Querrey in the next round after the 29-year-old beat Bernard Tomic in four sets. 

Four-time winner Roger Federer, too, made it into the next round with a straight-sets win over 20-year-old Noah Rubin. The Swiss legend was pushed to the limit as he saved two set points in the third set winning 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in the end. The 35-year-old, who is seeded 17th in the tournament, will play face World No. 10 Tomas Berdych in the next round.

Fourth and fifth seeds Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori managed easy wins against Steve Johnson and Lukas Lacko respectively, while Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made it into the next round with ease as well after picking up a victory against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.

However, it wasn't easy sailing for everyone as World no. 7 Marin Cilic became the first big name to exit the tournament after he was ousted by Briton Dan Evans. After winning the first set 6-3, Cilic went on to lose the next three 7-5, 6-3, and 6-3 becoming the first major casualty of the Open. Australia's chances of a local boy winning the Open were dented as well after Nick Kyrgios blew a two-set lead along with a match point opportunity against World no 89 Andreas Seppi to crash out in five.

In the women's singles, Venus Williams, and Garbine Muguruza picked up easy wins against Stefanie Vogele and Samantha Crawford respectively to secure a Round-3 berth. Top seed Angelique Kerber had to go the distance against fellow German Carina Witthoft before advancing to the next round.

On the Indian front, both Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna advanced to the next round in the women's and men's doubles respectively. Mirza and partner Barbora Strycova dropped just four games in a 6-3, 6-1 win. Bopanna and Pablo Cuevas won in straight sets as well but were made to work hard for their victory in a match that ended 6-4, 7-6.

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